Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly recommended the dissolution of the National Assembly to President Arif Alvi. Insiders suggest this could occur by Wednesday, following hints of an election delay due to the required redrawing of constituencies after the 2023 census results.
This move sets the stage for a transitional caretaker government. Dr Hafeez Shaikh, a former finance minister under the Imran Khan and PPP governments and known establishment favourite, emerges as a likely candidate for the interim prime minister. If consensus on a candidate isn’t reached between the prime minister and the opposition, the choice falls to a parliamentary committee and, failing that, the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah recently mentioned Shaikh and a retired judge as top contenders for the interim role. The government has been considering an economist-led caretaker administration due to the emphasis on economic matters. This priority is evident in the recent empowerment of the caretaker government to make significant decisions, ensuring economic momentum is maintained.
Read: Pakistan’s General Elections May be Delayed until March After New Census Approval
Amid these shifts, the caretaker government’s tenure might stretch to March 2024, as the Election Commission will need approximately four months post the 2023 census approval for constituency redrawing before conducting general elections.
