With just one day remaining before the dissolution of the National Assembly, there have been reports of various names being considered for the position of caretaker prime minister. However, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has denied that any candidates have been finalized for the role.
According to Prime Minister Shehbaz, consultations with government allies and members of his own party are still ongoing. He expects the process to be completed within the next day or two. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the chosen interim prime minister is acceptable to the people in order to maintain stability during the transition period.
In response to questions about former finance minister Dr. Hafeez Sheikh being considered for the position, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that no decision has been made regarding the name of the caretaker prime minister.
The prime minister and the opposition leader have three days to consult on this matter, even after the dissolution of the assembly. If a consensus is not reached, the Election Commission of Pakistan will be responsible for making the final decision.
There is growing speculation that Dr. Hafeez Sheikh is the frontrunner for the position. He is a technocrat who is generally acceptable to all mainstream political parties and is often considered for interim government positions in the country. However, there are also several other potential candidates circulating in the media, including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, and former Punjab governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood, among others.
As the country awaits the final decision on the caretaker prime minister, discussions and consultations continue to ensure a smooth transition of power during this interim period.