Selecting Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister: PM Shehbaz Sharif in Consultation with Allies

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is engrossed in talks with all eight ruling coalition allies as the decision regarding his interim successor takes precedence. As the date set by the PM for the dissolution of the National Assembly draws near, the ruling PDM coalition intensifies its deliberations on nominating a mutually agreed upon caretaker PM. PM Sharif convened a virtual meeting with his allies, discussing the dissolution of national and provincial assemblies, the selection of an interim PM, and the upcoming polls based on the 2023 census.

A Plethora of Potential Candidates: Coalition Partners Submitting Names

In the upcoming days, the Prime Minister will face a challenging task as allies propose their preferred candidates for the caretaker role. Some allies, like the PML-N’s main partner, the PPP, have already submitted their suggestions to the PM. The consensus between the main coalition partners, PPP and PML-N, indicates an agreement on the caretaker PM, although they remain quiet about it. Meanwhile, other coalition members like MQM-P, JUI-F, and BNP are yet to submit their choices. Two independent lawmakers part of the ruling coalition have also proposed their candidates.

Caretaker PM Selection Process: Further Steps and Legal Amendments

The Prime Minister will consult his elder brother, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in London after all coalition parties submit their names for the caretaker PM. The elder Sharif will then narrow down three names, which will be discussed with Raja Riaz Ahmed, the opposition leader in the National Assembly. According to sources, Mr. Ahmed will likely agree on one of the three names. In a related development, the federal government has expanded the caretaker government’s role through rushed legislation, enabling it to make decisions beyond daily affairs and existing agreements or projects.