Govt unveils names for caretaker PM
15 March, 2013
ISLAMABAD: With only two days in power, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday proposed three names to Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for appointment as caretaker prime minister.
The prime minister proposed the names of Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Dr Ishrat Hussain and Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. He described the three as 'persons of known standing, integrity and competence'.
The opposition party PML-N has already proposed names of Justice (r) Shakirullah Jan, Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Rasool Bux Palejo.
The prime minister in his letter asked the opposition leader that the two sides can deliberate on the names put forward both by the government and the opposition at a mutually convenient time. He said it will help the two sides agree on a suitable person in line with the constitutional obligations.
Following is the text of letter written by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to Leader of Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan.
"Dear
Thank you for your letter dated 11th March, 2013.
Let me reiterate that we have pursued a policy of reconciliation and consensus in the country for the well being and betterment of the people of Pakistan.
I have held in-depth consultations with my allies as well as within the Party in keeping with the same spirit on the names proposed by you.
As a result of our consultations I propose the following three names for the office of the care-taker Prime Minister:-
1. Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, 2. Dr Ishrat Hussain, 3. Justice (Retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso
The above are persons of known standing, integrity and competence. We can discuss and deliberate on the names put forward both by the government and the opposition at a mutually convenient time so that we can agree on a suitable person in line with the constitutional obligations.
I look forward to an early response so that we can put a closure to the issue and move forward to set the stage for holding general elections in the country.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Raja Pervez Ashraf)
The government and the opposition have only two days in hand to agree on a name for the interim prime minister as tenure of the current assembly is going to expire on March 16. Any failure to reach consensus on the name will push the matter to a parliamentary committee which would have three days to decide the issue. Election Commission of Pakistan is the final authority in case parliamentary committee too fails to decide on the name for the head of the interim set-up. The ECP will have two days to announce a name for the caretaker prime minister.
In his earlier letter, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had told Opposition Leader Ch Nisar that the people of Pakistan expect both of them "to rise to the occasion and agree upon the most suitable person as caretaker prime minster and pave the way for holding general elections in an impartial, fair and transparent manner" and that they must "enable the people of Pakistan to express their will in an exemplary environment and ensure smooth transition of power to the next elected government." He had requested the opposition leader to "propose names of persons who in your opinion are eminently qualified to be appointed as caretaker prime minister of Pakistan."
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