Deadlock persists over caretaker Prime Minister

The government and the main opposition are likely to head a possible deadlock over the nomination of caretaker Prime Minister as the government has only one day to complete its term.

A caretaker Prime Minister will take over on the dissolution of the assemblies on March 16. However the government and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) have not yet agreed on a consensus candidate.

Both sides had proposed names for the slot.

Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said Friday that consultations could only move forward if the names proposed by the opposition PML (N) part for the caretaker Prime Minister are considered by the government.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is in constant contact with Leader of the Opposition, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in connection with nomination of a suitable person for the office of caretaker Prime Minister, the PM office said.

The Prime Minister continues to make effort to reach an agreement on the name of a caretaker Prime Minister, a statement said.

“In case such an agreement is not possible, the Government shall forward the names of two persons to the Parliamentary Committee as stipulated the Constitution,” said the Prime Minister.

The opposition rejected three names proposed by the Prime Minister.

The opposition leader said that one government nominee – former State Bank Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain – does not qualify for the office of caretaker Prime Minister.

Raising objections at the second government’s nominee, Hazar Khan Khoso, the opposition said that he had been very close slain leader Benazir Bhutto and the third nominee — Dr Hafeez Sheikh — was finance minister until last month.

He said if consensus on the name of caretaker Prime Minister is not reached‚ the matter will then be referred to parliamentary committee, which will refer it to the election commission.

The opposition withdrew former Supreme Court judge Justice (Rtd) Shakirulllah Jan from the list of three proposed candidates.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Mar 15 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.