ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and opposition leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah Wednesday held a discussion pertaining to the setup of the caretaker government, which would take over once the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government completes its tenure in May.
This was the third meeting, which was held at the Prime Minister’s House, between the PM and the opposition
The prime minister shared the opinion of the government and its allies with the opposition leader on the name of the caretaker prime minister.
Sources said that the two leaders also held a discussion over the budget for this year, which will be announced next month.
Abbasi and Shah also reviewed matters pertaining to Pakistan’s political situation, sources added.
Following the meeting with premier, Shah met Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the chambers of the Parliament House. Shah took Qureshi into confidence over his meeting with the prime minister. He said that the opposition should start finalising their names for the post of caretaker PM.
The meeting was also attended by Shireen Mazari and Naveed Qamar.
The current government is expected to conclude its five-year term on May 31, after which the caretaker government will take over to hold the general elections, which are expected to be held in the last week of July or first week of August.
As per the constitution of Pakistan, the caretaker prime minister is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly.
Both the premier and the opposition leader then present names of three nominees each from which the consensus candidate is appointed as the caretaker prime minister.
Published in Daily Times, April 12th 2018.
