ISLAMABAD: The bipartisan parliamentary committee ended its session on Thursday without reaching a consensus on a name for the caretaker prime minister amid indications that the matter would remain unresolved and would ultimately go to the Election Commission for a final decision.
Today's session of the committee was headed by Sardar Yaqoob Nasir, a member from the opposition's side.
After the meeting Pakistan Peoples Party leader Syed Khurshid Shah talking to reporters said that the talks took place withing a cordial atmosphere and that he was hopeful that the matter of nominating a care taker prime minister would be resolved by tomorrow and would not be forwarded to the Election Commission.
During its first meeting, the committee had agreed that support of at least two-third of its members was mandatory for the decision on a name for caretaker PM.
Politicians, including members of the committee, have dispelled the impression that a consensus on the issue may not occur.
"The completion of a full term by a democratically-elected civilian government for the first time and the legislation done in the Parliament proves that politicians have succeeded, not failed," Khawaja Saad Rafique, a member of the bi-partisan panel, told reporters ahead of the second day of the committee's proceedings.
He recounted consensus on 18th Amendment and other legislation as indicators that the days of political enmity and victimisation are over. On the question of leaving the final decision for the nomination of a caretaker prime minister to the Election Commission, Rafique said if the committee failed to reach consensus then a decision by the ECP would be acceptable to all.
Pakistan Peoples Party on the other hand made its opposition to the nomination of Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid clear. It, however, admitted that it has little choice to oppose the nominee if the Election Commission names the retired judge for the position of caretaker PM.
Meanwhile, background meetings between political parties continue in full swing as various groups try to muster maximum support ahead of the general election scheduled for May 11.
