During a recent meeting with his coalition partners, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed that the National Assembly of Pakistan would be dissolved on August 9.
The decision, part of the political roadmap towards the upcoming general elections, was made in a confidential gathering where various political situations were examined.
According to insiders who wished to remain anonymous, the Prime Minister intends to commence discussions with Raja Riaz, the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, on an interim Prime Minister. These discussions are expected to conclude within the next few days.
The Election Commission of Pakistan Prepares for Upcoming Polls
Once the dissolution of the National Assembly is formalized on August 9, the Constitution mandates that elections must be held within 90 days. If the assembly finishes its term due on August 12, elections will follow within 60 days.
Before the assembly dissolution, it’s crucial for the government and the opposition to reach an agreement on an interim Prime Minister. Last month, PM Shehbaz formed a committee within his party, the PML-N, to discuss this matter and the dissolution of the National Assembly.
As consultations gain momentum, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is poised to be the final authority on selecting an interim Prime Minister if the parliamentary committee’s attempts are unfruitful.
In a live broadcast, PM Shehbaz declared that the coalition government had ‘saved the state’ during their 15-month tenure. Despite the challenges inherited from the previous PTI government and the hurdles presented by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, he believes they’ve managed to pull the country back from the brink of default. The Prime Minister voiced his intent to elect an interim leader who would be acceptable to all stakeholders.
