ISLAMABAD
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition leader Raja Riaz on Thursday launched the consultative process to select a caretaker prime minister, a day after the dissolution of the National Assembly.
\nThe two leaders exchanged three names each during their Thursday meeting and agreed to meet again on Friday (tomorrow) to take forward the consultative process. After receiving the invitation letter from the prime minister, Raja Riaz arrived at the PM House in Islamabad on Thursday afternoon.
\nAfter the meeting Raja Riaz told the media that PM and he exchanged proposed names for the caretaker prime minister. He said he will gain hold a meeting with the prime minister tomorrow and hoped that they would reach a consensus on the name of the caretaker prime minister tomorrow. However, he declined to disclose the names and said the name will announced only after it gets finalised.
\nWhen asked about the media men waiting outside the PM House that how many names he has brought, Raja Riaz responded: \u201cI brought three names.\u201d
\nEarlier in the day, PM Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote a letter to Opposition Leader Raja Riaz inviting him for consultation regarding the appointment of the caretaker prime minister.
\nIn his letter, Shehbaz Sharif said that the President has dissolved the National Assembly under article 58(1) of the Constitution and that he is ready to fulfill his constitutional responsibility for the appointment of the caretaker prime minister.
\nUnder the constitution, they have three days after the dissolution of the assembly to finalize the name of the caretaker prime minister. The prime minister has started consultations regarding the appointment of the caretaker premier under Article 224 (1)(A), official sources have said.
\nIf Shehbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz could not evolve consensus on a name for the interim premier, the matter then will be referred to a parliamentary committee. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will decide the matter if the parliamentary body fails to make a decision. The ECP will have two days to choose a caretaker prime minister from the list of names shared with the commission.
\nOn Wednesday night, President Arif Alvi had dissolved the National Assembly three days before the completion of its five-year tenure, shortly after a summary signed by PM Shehbaz Sharif, advising the dissolution of the lower house of the parliament, was sent to the Presidency.
\nA statement issued by the Presidency just before midnight read, \u201cPresident Arif Alvi has dissolved the National Assembly under Article 58(1) on the advice of the prime minister.\u201d After the approval of the summary, the federal cabinet also stands dissolved.
\nThere were reports of a possible meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and Raza Riaz on Wednesday but they could not meet for the purpose of naming an interim premier. Under the Constitution, they have three days after the dissolution of the National Assembly to finalise the name of the caretaker prime minister.
\nDelivering his last speech on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Shehbaz Sharif said he will meet Raja Riaz to evolve a consensus on the name of the caretaker PM.
\nThe list of candidates for the office of the interim PM continued to swell, and a new name \u2014 Jalil Abbas Jilani \u2014 came to the fore. Mr Abbas is said to be on the list of three nominees shared by the PPP with the prime minister.
\nPM Shehbaz Sharif will act the caretaker prime minister till the appointment of the interim premier. As per the Article 94 of the Constitution, \u201cThe president may ask the prime minister to continue to hold office until his successor enters upon the office of prime minister.\u201d
\nBefore Jalil Abbas Jilani emerged, former finance minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh was appeared to be leading the race. Other candidates who are in the run for the coveted slot include Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, ex-chief justice Tassaduq Jilani, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pir Pagaro and Makhdoom Mehmood Ahmed.
\nIt is worth mentioning here that Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Cabinet Division on Thursday notified the dissolution of the National Assembly and the Federal Cabinet, respectively.
\n\u201cIn pursuance of clause (1) of Article 58 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been pleased to dissolve the National Assembly with immediate effect,\u201d a notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs here on Thursday said.
\nMeanwhile, the Cabinet Division also issued three separate notifications under which 33 Federal Ministers, 07 Ministers of State, 05 Advisers to the PM and 38 Special Assistants to the PM will cease to hold their offices, respectively, with immediate effects.
\nThe 15th National Assembly of Pakistan, which came to a close on August 9, 2023, left behind a legacy of legislative productivity, executive oversight and transformative leadership changes. With an array of accomplishments, the outgoing assembly\u2019s tenure underscores its commitment to democratic governance and national progress. During its tenure, the 15th National Assembly achieved an impressive feat by passing a total of 235 bills.
\nThe assembly, comprising 342 members, skillfully discharged its duty of executive oversight, ensuring the effective functioning of the government. Lawmakers displayed unwavering dedication by submitting thousands of questions across various ministries, probing into critical matters affecting the nation.
\nFurthermore, the assembly took proactive steps towards addressing key concerns by introducing and adopting resolutions. A total of 107 resolutions were adopted, reflecting the assembly\u2019s endeavor to provide solutions to a broad spectrum of issues mainly related to governance, education, foreign affairs, health and energy.
\nAccording to the National Assembly\u2019s official website, the house witnessed the introduction of 181 government bills and 360 private member bills. This comprehensive legislative approach highlighted the assembly\u2019s commitment to inclusivity and addressing multifaceted challenges. Notably, 12 bills were referred to the joint sitting of Parliament, demonstrating the assembly\u2019s collaborative approach to lawmaking.
\nThe tenure of the outgoing 15th National Assembly was characterized by significant leadership shifts and milestones. The assembly played a pivotal role in the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a motion of no-confidence passed on April 9, 2022. Subsequently, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif secured a vote of confidence, heralding a new era of leadership.
\nA total of 126 bills were passed during the period from August 13, 2018 to April 9, 2022, underpinning the legislative achievements of the assembly\u2019s early years. The remaining 109 bills were endorsed during the tenure of the PML-N-led government, spanning from April 10, 2022, to August 9, 2023, affirming the assembly\u2019s enduring commitment to governance.
\nThe 15th National Assembly marks the fourth instance in Pakistan\u2019s history where a National Assembly has successfully completed its term. In a notable departure from the scheduled term completion date of August 12, 2023, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the dissolution three days earlier on August 9, 2023. Over its tenure, the outgoing assembly convened a total of 52 sessions, each dedicated to robust deliberations and the passage of vital legislative proposals.
\nThe assembly\u2019s focus on the well-being and advancement of the nation is evident in its meticulously crafted bills that addressed a wide range of issues. With a strong emphasis on democratic principles, the 15th National Assembly leaves an indelible mark on Pakistan\u2019s political landscape, fostering a legacy of dedication, innovation, and progress. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition leader Raja Riaz on Thursday launched the consultative process to select a caretaker prime minister, a day after the dissolution of the National Assembly. The two leaders exchanged three names each during their Thursday meeting and agreed to meet again on Friday (tomorrow) to take forward the consultative […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":348424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-348459","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n