First round of negotiation on caretaker prime minister remains inconclusive,

Nawaz Sharif to return next month to lead election campaign: PM.

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday he would consult with Nawaz Sharif and allies about caretaker prime minister and there was a hope that the name would be finalised within the next three days.

Talking to a private TV, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the president of Pakistan had signed his advice last night and they would decide on the name before three days.

“I hope we will agree on a name within 3 days. We have held our consultation today and will meet again tomorrow,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said the new census had been approved and the issue of conducting the election was with the election commissioner chief, whether the election would be held under the new census or the old one.

“It has to be decided by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Now it is up to us. There is no burden. The ECP should respond,” he added.
The prime minister said they had fully complied with the constitution and the ECP had to conduct the election and must also comply with the constitution.

“In my opinion, the election should be held soon,” he said, adding that the 16 months was the shortest federal government and the federal cabinet has ended yesterday.

“Each party will have its own manifesto in the election. it was not an easy task for me to run a 13-party alliance. The 16 months were difficult in my career.” Shahbaz said.

He said the government waive the bills of the flood victims, gave them subsidies, restored the IMF agreement, avoided default and even martial law in one respect.

“The friend countries were away because of the worst foreign policy of the previous government. Saudi Arabia helped Pakistan on every front,” he concluded.

Earlier,

A crucial meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raja Riaz on Thursday remained inconclusive on the choice of the caretaker prime minister.

The second round of negotiations for the appointment of the caretaker prime minister will be held tomorrow (Friday).

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the opposition leader said the president had dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the prime minister. He said the caretaker prime minister would be appointed within three days and he and PM Sharif had a one-hour long meeting on Thursday.

He said the prime minister had proposed three names and he had sought one more day to come to a conslusion.

He said all those being considered for the coveted position were people of integrity. He said the name of the proposed caretaker prime minister would not be disclosed before any final decision.

It is expected that the name would be finalised in tomorrow’s huddle. “In case a decision is not made by tomorrow, the consultation will be held the next day,” said the opposition leader.

Potential candidates 

The parties in the ruling alliance have nominated their candidates. The MQM has named Kamran Tessori for the caretaker prime minister, while the National Party has suggested the name of retired Justice Shakeel Baloch.

Moreover, former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, ex-finance minister Hafeez Sheikh and retired Justice Tassadaq Jilani have also been under consideration for the caretaker prime minister. Also under consideration are the names of retired Justice Maqbool Baqir, Fawad Hasan Fawad, Zulfiqar Magsi and Dr Ishrat Abad.

According to sources, Jalil is the strongest candidate for the office. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari suggested his name to Nawaz Sharif and the latter did not object to the nomination.

It may be noted that if the premier and opposition leader fail to reach consensus on a name for the caretaker prime minister, the matter will be referred to the parliamentary committee. If the committee also fails to make a decision, the matter will be sent to the Election Commission which will pick a name within two days.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday night dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dunya News reported. The president has signed the summary sent by the prime minister for dissolution of the National Assembly. The federal cabinet also stands dissolved with the dissolution of the National Assembly.

 

Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said Quaid of Pakistan Muslim League(N) Nawaz Sharif would come back to Pakistan next month and would face his cases in courts.

In an interview with a private television channel, he said after the caretaker government was formed he would go to London to discuss the plan for his return with his brother Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz Sharif would lead the election campaign of his party and would be the next prime minister for the fourth time if Pakistan Muslim League(N) won the next election, he added.