Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is poised for a crucial meeting with the outgoing Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz. Their primary objective is to decide on the caretaker prime minister’s appointment unanimously. This move comes in the wake of President Alvi’s dissolution of the lower house of the Parliament three days before its five-year tenure was due to end. Following this decision, the federal cabinet stands dissolved.
In the interim, until the caretaker prime minister is named, PM Shehbaz will assume this role in line with Article 94 of the Constitution.
Prospective Candidates for the Caretaker Prime Minister Role
The outgoing government has been grappling with the challenge of naming the caretaker prime minister, whose leadership will bridge the gap to the general elections. These elections face potential delays due to recent census notifications. While PM Shehbaz indicated in his farewell address that he would consult with Raja Riaz to decide upon the caretaker PM’s name, the finalization process remains intricate.
Riaz hinted that the names for the caretaker PM had been shortlisted after multiple consultations, with an economist among the nominees. Reports suggest Jalil Abbas Jilani’s name as a frontrunner, with other potential contenders like Dr. Hafeez Sheikh, Ishaq Dar, and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the mix.
