Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and outgoing Opposition Leader Raja Riaz met on Thursday to discuss and reach a consensus on the selection of the caretaker premier in Pakistan, according to Radio Pakistan.
Confirming the meeting, Raja Riaz stated, “With a consensus, we have decided that there will be another meeting tomorrow (Friday).”
The coalition government’s regime came to an end on Wednesday after President Alvi dissolved the lower house of the Parliament. The federal cabinet also stands dissolved following the approval of the dissolution by the President.
The selection of the caretaker prime minister, who will lead the interim government until the general elections, has not yet been announced by the outgoing government. However, until the appointment of the caretaker prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif will act as the caretaker prime minister as per Article 94 of the Constitution.
Raja Riaz, while speaking to reporters, described the meeting as cordial and said they discussed six names for the caretaker prime minister, all of whom are “respectable people.” The premier and Riaz have three days to finalize the selection. If they fail to agree, the matter will be referred to a parliamentary committee, and if no decision is made, the Election Commission of Pakistan will have two days to choose from the list of names shared with them.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has also imposed a restriction on postings and transfers until the caretaker government assumes office. In a notification, the electoral watchdog advised that transfers and postings should be avoided until the caretaker government is formed and then carried out according to the legal framework.
In a letter sent to Raja Riaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz invited him for consultations on the caretaker prime minister. He expressed his readiness to fulfill his constitutional responsibility regarding the appointment of the interim PM.
Various names have been proposed for the coveted role, including Jalil Abbas Jilani, Dr. Hafeez Sheikh, Ishaq Dar, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Fawad Hassan Fawad, Tassaduq Jilani, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pir Pagaro, and Makhdoom Mehmood Ahmed. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the selection of the caretaker prime minister yet.
The consultations between the government and opposition parties on the matter are ongoing, and it is expected that a decision will be reached within the next couple of days.