Dar as caretaker
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is considering Ishaq Dar as a potential caretaker prime minister. Dar, the current finance minister, is considered a close ally and relative of former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Currently, PML-N is engaged in discussions with its allies (PDM), in the ruling coalition to evolve a consensus on the appointment of the caretaker PM.
Prominent allies involved in the talks include the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that if the allies agree, Dar could assume the role of caretaker PM.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair highlighted several critical economic decisions made in the past few weeks.
Zubair emphasized the need for stability and consistency in economic policies. He asserted that under the current circumstances, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar should become the prime minister in the caretaker setup.
The PML-N leader added that they would have to examine the provisions in the Constitution for appointing Dar to the post.
PML(N) committee starts consultation on caretaker setup
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a five-member committee within PML-N to consult on selecting a caretaker premier and dissolving the National Assembly.
Members of the committee including federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Khawaja Muhammad Asif will engage with political parties in the current government.
The committee will report to PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif, seeking his guidance on sensitive matters, alongside party president PM Shehbaz Sharif. Immediate action was taken to ease pressure on the premier about assembly dissolution and caretaker PM appointment.
PM Shehbaz advised other parties to form similar committees for extensive consultations.
Constitutionally, the PM and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly were to initiate consultations. Failure could refer the matter to a parliamentary committee, appointed by the NA speaker.
