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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Wednesday asked Opposition Leader in the NA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to propose names for the caretaker prime minister before dissolution of the National Assembly as per the constitution.
“It is imperative that we initiate the process under article 224 of the constitution to arrive at a consensus on the appointment of caretaker prime minister, who could uphold the national interest and ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country,” said the prime minister in a letter written to the leader of the opposition.
“Otherwise we will be constrained to proceed further in the matter as per Article 224(A) of the Constitution.”
The article 224(A) of the constitution says: “In case the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly do not agree on any person to be appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister, within three days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, they shall forward two nominees each to a Committee to be immediately constituted by the Speaker of the National Assembly, comprising eight members of the outgoing National Assembly, or the Senate, or both, having equal representation from the Treasury and the Opposition, to be nominated by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition respectively.”“The people of Pakistan rightly expect us to rise to the occasion and agree upon the most suitable person as caretaker prime minister and pave the way for holding general elections in an impartial, fair and transparent manner,” said the PM.
“Let us 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 added.
Ashraf said the National Assembly would be achieving the milestone of completing its tenure by the middle of next month. He said it would be a historic achievement signifying the maturity and sagacity of the political parties in the country.
He hoped that his singular achievement would go a long way in strengthening democracy and establishing supremacy of the will of the people of Pakistan.
The prime minister further said all political parties, within and outside the parliament, and national institutions deserve special compliment and praise for their continued support to the democratic process during the last five years.
