Silence prevails as coalition govt looks for 'most suitable' interim PM

The Information Minister says PM Shehbaz is yet to decide on the interim PM's appointment

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – As the tenure of the National Assembly (NA) is likely to end in less than two weeks, speculation is getting stronger about the composition of the caretaker set-up amid the silence of the federal government to announce the caretaker prime minister. 

Though Information Min­is­­t­er Marriyum Auran­­­­g­zeb said on Mon­day the appointment of the interim premier would be carried out in line with the Constitution, she didn't mention when the process would be initiated.

Taking to Twitter, she said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had not announced or rejected the names for the caretaker prime minister so far.

The minister dismissed reports about nominees for the caretaker prime minister. She asserted: "The caretaker prime minister would be appointed under the rules as per the constitution".

Aurangzeb made it clear that PM Shehbaz will take guidance from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and will also take the allied parties along with him regarding the appointment of caretaker prime minister.

"After completing consultations with the coalition parties, the premier will take on board the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz Ahmad, in accordance with the constitution for the appointment of the interim prime minister," she maintained.

Shehbaz, Fazl discuss caretaker set up  

The premier called on PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman after a suicidie attack on the JUI-F public meeting in Bahjaur and expressed condolence over the killing of 50 activists and supporters.

Sources said Sharif discussed the caretaker set-up with the Maulana. The premier also held a relevant meeting with with Awami National Party chief Aimal Wali Khan.

Read also: Will suggest three names for caretaker PM: Raja Riaz

Earlier on Wednesday, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the PML-N will consult coalition partners on the name of the caretaker prime minister.

Commenting on dissolving assemblies, he said there was no harm to dissolve the assemblies two days before the scheduled timing. He made it clear that the next elections could not be delayed for any reason.

He said that political parties are committed to holding general elections on time.

About the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, he said: "We have arrangements for the next review programme of the IMF". He said the coalition government had to face some difficulties due to tough agreements made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) with the international lender.

Speaking about the PML-N's preparation for the elections, he said his party was fully prepared for contesting the next elections.

"The PML-N will win the general elections with a thumping majority," he asserted.