ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President, Dr Arif Alvi, has asked the outgoing Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Raiz, to propose a suitable person for appointment as caretaker Prime Minister of the country not later than August 12, 2023.
In a letter sent to the prime minister and the opposition leader here on Friday, President Alvi mentioned that under Article 224A of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Prime Minister (PM) and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly have to propose the name of a person for the appointment of caretaker prime minister within three days of the dissolution of National Assembly.
According to Article 224 (1A) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the president has the power to appoint a caretaker prime minister in consultation with the leaders of the house and opposition Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly”, The president noted.
Dr Alvi said he dissolved the National Assembly under Article 58 (1) of the Constitution after he received advice for approval from the PM on August 9.
Consensus on Caretaker PM
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Shehbaz Shair and Opposition leader Raja Riaz held a couple of meetings during the last few days, however, they were still unable to agree on a name for the caretaker prime minister. It’s a precedent that most Pakistani politicians were not able to finalize names for the caretaker set-up, followed by sending the matter to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
