According to sources, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have reached an agreement on five potential candidates for the caretaker prime minister’s position. PML-N leaders, including Khawaja Asif and Ayaz Sadiq, held discussions with the PPP delegation, consisting of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and Khursheed Shah, to consider appointing a political figure for this important role.
Notably, the five names agreed upon do not include Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who was previously rumored to be a potential contender for the caretaker prime minister’s position. The parties have decided to share the shortlist of names with other coalition partners and will inform the top leaders of the ruling political parties after further consultations.
It is essential to mention that the caretaker prime minister’s selection is a significant decision during the transition period between the dissolution of the National Assembly and the formation of a new government after general elections. Despite initial reports about Ishaq Dar, both the PPP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) have rejected any agreement on his appointment.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar stated that he will accept whatever decision the leadership makes regarding the caretaker prime minister. However, he emphasized that the discussion about the caretaker premier is still premature, and the coalition government and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will jointly decide on this matter.
Dar also highlighted that the caretaker government should have an extended term of 90 days instead of the usual 60 days to effectively address the country’s needs during the transition period. Further discussions and consultations on the caretaker prime minister’s appointment are expected to take place after the 10th of Muharram.