LAHORE: The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz to discuss the names of caretaker prime ministers before the general elections has been postponed again today (Wednesday), sources told JEE News.
According to sources, the reason for the delay is Raja Riaz’s busy schedule as he is unable to meet the Prime Minister today.
However, he himself confirmed that despite the delay, his meeting will take place today. It is possible to meet the Prime Minister again tomorrow.
The meeting between the two was to be held at 4 pm today, while the opposition leader was informed about it in writing.
Pakistan’s parliament is set to dissolve today, leaving a technocrat-led interim government to oversee elections that will not include PTI chairman Imran Khan.
The country has been in political turmoil since the former prime minister, who was ousted last year after a no-confidence motion, was arrested over the weekend on corruption charges following a months-long crackdown on his party.
By law, elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament, but the outgoing government has already warned they could be delayed.
When asked if there was any rift between him and the prime minister, Raja Riaz denied any such suggestion. He also confirmed that the Assembly will be dissolved today.
“There is three days’ time, during which consultations will be held together,” he said, adding that if there is no agreement on the three names, then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) name for the interim prime minister.
Riaz insisted that he would ensure an agreement with the prime minister on a name. “All efforts will be made to finalize the name of the interim [Prime Minister] with the Prime Minister.
“JEE News asked the opposition leader if any politician or bureaucrat is better for this position. “There will be a better name that will be appreciated by the public and the media,” he replied.
Speaking to JEE News on Tuesday, the opposition leader said that the proposed names of caretaker prime ministers would be shared by the government, adding that he would also suggest a few names from his side.
Riaz said that no name was given by the prime minister for caretaker prime minister and no consultation was done earlier.
He said that he has finalized three names after consulting his colleagues. Riaz told JEE News that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the caretaker prime minister will be decided through collective consultation.
“Shehbaz Sharif had said that no name has been shortlisted for caretaker prime minister yet and Nawaz Sharif is being consulted on the matter,” Riaz said, adding that the PML-N is seeking the post. Trying to introduce an acceptable name.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had earlier confirmed the shortlisting of former Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh for the post.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz on Tuesday confirmed that he will write to President Dr. Arif Alvi today (August 9) to dissolve the National Assembly, bringing the current government’s term to a premature end.
The government has announced that the assemblies will be dissolved three days early, after which elections will be held within 90 days.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “After completing my [government] term tomorrow, I will write to the President to dissolve the Assembly and then a caretaker government will take over.” .
