In the evolving political landscape of Pakistan, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced a joint decision with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to appoint a politician as the interim prime minister has led to the shortlisting of five potential candidates.
Asif clarified that he had not been offered the role of interim prime minister. The finalized list of four to five names, as revealed by Asif, will be deliberated upon with other political parties to ensure a comprehensive and fair selection process. He anticipates a final decision will be reached within a week.
“The leaders of the allied parties will be the deciding factor in this process,” stated the Defence Minister. Furthermore, he voiced his stance that the election should ideally be held within 90 days, thus preventing complications arising from an extended vacancy in the assembly. He suggested that the assemblies be dissolved two days before their terms commence.
Asif refuted claims of proposing Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for the caretaker prime minister position. He confirmed that Dar has never expressed such ambitions on any platform. He explained that his previous remark about Asif Ali Zardari, PPP’s Co-Chairman, being untrustworthy was merely a personal opinion.
Potential Candidates and Final Decision
In a recent development, PPP sources have confirmed that five names are under consideration for the interim prime minister role. However, speculations about Dar’s potential candidature for the position have been making rounds. Despite these rumours, neither Dar nor any other PML-N leaders have issued a refutation.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal proposed the possibility of Dar’s appointment to the position. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later dismissed this, and the PPP opposed his selection.
Senator Kamran Murtaza from the JUI-F announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would decide on the interim prime minister after consulting with JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman. This decision is expected in the coming days.
During an interview with The News, Senator Kamran reiterated that the prime minister, in collaboration with National Assembly Opposition Leader Raja Riaz Ahmad, will be shortlisting candidates. This will follow the same constitutional process employed in the final selection.
With a meeting between the opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmad and the prime minister scheduled for Wednesday, it is anticipated that Dar’s candidature for the interim prime minister position, which Raja Riaz previously opposed, might gain support. Dar is expected to resign from his party positions and Senate seat if appointed.
However, the debate on whether a caretaker can retain membership in the upper house of Parliament continues to be contentious.
 and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) are in the process of choosing an interim prime minister. Find out who the shortlisted candidates are and the latest updates on this significant political development.){kind=link}