Opposition Leader Rejects Ishaq Dar For Caretaker PM
-- PPP’s Raja Riaz says immediate elections ‘not necessary’
LAHORE MIRROR — Opposition Leader in National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz on Tuesday opposed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s initially rumoured but now quashed candidature for caretaker prime minister’s role, and also restrained the need of immediate elections in the country.
The tenure of the National Assembly is set to expire on August 12 and meetings are under way between the members of the government on the details of an interim set-up.
If the government is dissolved before the National Assembly completes its term on August 12, elections would be held within the next 90 days. If the assembly completes its tenure, the Election Commission of Pakistan is bound to hold polls within the next 60 days.
Earlier this week, reports emerged of Dar as a possible candidate for the caretaker prime minister’s slot. However, the PML-N a day ago appeared to be back-pedalling on the idea, apparently in the wake of its outright rejection by both its ally PPP and the opposition PTI.
Both parties have agreed that a politician should lead the interim government, and not someone from the judiciary. The PML-N wants to appoint Ishaq Dar to ensure the execution of their economic policies and maintain their financial commitments with the IMF.
However, the PPP is concerned about the neutrality of the appointment and opposes Dar’s selection. There may be a chance of reaching a consensus on the nomination during a meeting of prominent political figures.
The PPP has set up a committee of senior leaders to discuss the interim government, and they believe that a politician should be chosen for the position, but all parties need to agree on the decision. No final name has been decided yet.
