Two left in race for caretaker PM

In a major development in its maiden meeting, the eight-member parliamentary committee tasked with appointing the caretaker prime minister discarded the names of Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and Rasool Bukhsh Palejo with majority and a consensus is likely to be achieved today on either Dr Ishrat Hussain or Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid for appointment as the caretaker PM premier, Pakistan Today has reliably learnt.

The committee which held its first meeting on Wednesday at the Parliament House was headed by Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and decided in principal that no new nomination would be discussed by the committee and only four names would be considered.

A source said that despite tensions between both parties, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere as the members of the committee looked to be on the same page over the issue.

“The impression of failure of the committee is false as the committee discarded two nominees to narrow down their differences. Since the PPP leadership had reservations over the name of Palejo and the PML-N had reservations about Justice (r) Khoso, both names were dropped in agreement. We can hope for a good outcome today (Thursday) as both sides have expressed willingness to resolve the matter through mutual contacts and diplomacy and the committee is the best platform for this purpose,” the source added.

The source said the PML-N leadership had also expressed flexibility for dissolution of Punjab Assembly, which was dissolved in the evening on Wednesday, and both sides would exhibit same cordiality on Thursday over the caretaker setup.

Another source said both Dr Ishrat Hussain and Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid were respectable individuals and any of the two could be trusted with the responsibility of holding the upcoming elections.

Talking to reporters following the meeting, PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah said they could not evolve any consensus over the names of Justice Khoso and Palejo.

He said that terms of reference (ToRs) of the committee were also finalised in the meeting under which the caretaker PM would be appointed with a two-thirds majority or unanimously while the quorum must be of five members.

Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said it was discussed in threadbare what fundamental characteristics should be possessed by the caretaker prime minister.

“The caretaker PM should be impartial, intelligent, apolitical and must have administrative experience and should be a man of good repute.”

Abbasi hoped that there would be a consensus, but pointed that the caretaker prime minister could also be appointed with a 6-2 majority in the committee.

He said it was the first time ever in the history of the country that the matter was referred to the parliamentary committee.

Abbasi made it clear that efforts were being made to appoint caretaker premier through the committee, hoping that the committee would fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, however, in case of failure the same names would be forwarded to the ECP.

Farooq H Naik said new nominees could not be considered by the committee per the constitution, as the committee had no authority to change the proposed names sent by the prime minister and opposition leader.

Naik added that the same names would be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan if the committee failed to evolve consensus on appointment of a caretaker prime minister within the stipulated time.

He said whatever decision would be taken in the committee it would be in accordance with the spirit of law and constitution.

The government has nominated Dr Ishrat Husain and Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, while the PML-N has finalised the names of Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Rasool Bukhsh Palejo for the post of caretaker prime minister.

The coalition government is being represented by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Khursheed Shah, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Farroq Naik, while Pervez Rasheed, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Khwaja Saad Rafique and Sardar Yaqoob are representing the opposition in the committee.

Shah said earlier in the day that the matter of the caretaker prime minister could be resolved instantly if Nawaz Sharif wanted.

“The opposition should not oppose the government nominees for the slot and if there are some shortcomings, they should be highlighted.” Shah said if the matter was not resolved in the committee, it would be a slap on the face on all politicians.

“We come here again with good intention to get the issue resolve amicably, even we support the name of Ishaq Dar for the slot.”

Shujaat Hussain said political decision should be taken by the politicians themselves and these matters should not be referred to non-politicians. “If they cannot take such decision, they better leave politics.”

He warned that it would not be fair if the parliamentary committee position was undermined, adding the opposition should not be rigid enough that they have to send the matter to the ECP.

Naik said there was no constitutional bar about giving new names to the committee for the slot of the caretaker PM, rather the constitution was silent over the issue. Senator Pervez Rashid said no new names would be presented in the committee, as they would not accept any changed to the proposed list of names.

He said it was not a failure that the matter was referred to the parliamentary committee, rather it was a constitutional procedure.