Amidst Pakistan’s ongoing political transition, President Dr. Arif Alvi has called upon both PM Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz to nominate a “suitable person” for the role of interim prime minister by August 12. This reminder follows the dissolution of the previous National Assembly and aligns with Article 224A of Pakistan’s Constitution.
Article 224 (1A) of the Constitution outlines that Prime Ministerial contender for caretaker position previous National Assembly have the responsibility to propose a candidate for the position of caretaker Prime Minister within three days of the Assembly’s dissolution. In letters addressed to both PM Shehbaz and Raja Riaz, President Alvi stressed the urgency of a swift decision.
Ahead of this reminder, PM Shehbaz and Raja Riaz engaged in initial talks about appointing an interim prime minister. The second round of discussions was scheduled for the following day, aiming to reach a consensus. While both sides remained tight-lipped about specific candidates under consideration, indications were made that the names would be disclosed upon finalization.
Several names have emerged as potential contenders for the role of interim prime minister. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) proposed former diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani and former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jilani. Additionally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) suggested Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has yet to publicly announce its candidates, but the list of potential contenders includes former finance minister Ishaq Dar, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and former caretaker prime minister Mohammad Mian Soomro.
Shouldthe Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader fail to reach a consensus within the designated three-day period, the matter will be referred to the parliamentary committee responsible for appointing an interim prime minister. This committee will evaluate the candidates proposed by both sides and finalize a selection within three days.
Should further deadlock arise, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will assume the duty of choosing the caretaker prime minister from the names submitted by both parties. This sense of urgency stems from the constitutional requirement to conduct elections within 90 days of the Assembly’s dissolution.
The forthcoming general elections are expected to encounter delays due to the necessity of revising electoral boundaries after the approval of new census results by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The Election Commission of Pakistan is tasked with overseeing this process, anticipated to span three to four months.
As Pakistan navigates through this pivotal phase of political transition, the selection of an interim prime minister holds significant ramifications for the country’s governance during this interim period. The intricacies of the selection process and the key actors involved underscore the complexities of Pakistan’s democratic framework.