Though the eight-member parliamentary committee tasked to decide the caretaker prime minister could not evolve consensus over a single individual on Thursday, members of the committee agreed not to refer the matter to the Election Commission of Pakistan and sought time to consult with their party leaders to seek fresh direction over the matter.
A source who attended the meeting told Pakistan Today that he was optimistic that a majority of the committee members may agree on the name of Dr Ishrat Hussain for the slot of caretaker prime minister or Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid.
During the meeting, the government’s representatives voiced serious concerns over the statement by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that the matter could not be resolved in the committee, rather it would be resolved somewhere else, the source added.
Khursheed Shah said at this point of time Nawaz should not have given such an irresponsible statement, as it depicted his non-seriousness, but their participation in the meeting spoke volume about their seriousness to get the issue resolved amicably. “We would not have participated in the meeting after Nawaz and Nisar Ali Khan’s statements.”
Shujaat Hussain said Nawaz’s press conference gave a wrong impression that politicians might fail in resolving the matter, which was unfortunate.
The committee met at the Parliament House with Sardar Yaqoob Nasir in the chair and discussed nominations of Dr Ishrat Hussain and Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid. It had ruled out the names of Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and Rasool Bukhsh Palejo in its Wednesday meeting.
The source said a PPP committee member questioned how Nasir Aslam Zahid would do justice with the PPP as he had close relations with the Sharif family. However, the PML-N side countered his claims and said there was no such relationship.
“The PML-N members also responded in the same manner and said Dr Ishrat Hussain was a close relative of President Asif Ali Zardari. However, the PPP side rubbished the allegation,” the source added.
Both sides kept debating the reservations of each other for around four hours, but could not prove their points, thus leaving the matter for the last day of discussion, the source added.
Another source said though they were independently deliberating over the matter, they had contacted their parties seeking fresh directives from party chiefs.
Talking to reporters after the second round of talks, Khursheed Shah said there was no deadlock between the two sides and all proposed names were thoroughly discussed in the meeting and hopefully consensus would be reached on any of the four proposed names in today’s (Friday) meeting.
He said the media and nation would have to wait for another day for the caretaker PM, however, he said the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and consultation process was almost completed, hinting that the Friday meeting could be a decisive one.
He vowed that all possible efforts would be made for the matter to be resolved in the meeting.
Shah said politicians were to resolve political matters and this matter would also be resolved by them politically.
Farooq H Naik said Friday would be the last chance for the committee to take a decision, adding that all things were going per rules and efforts were afoot for achieving consensus on the matter. “Negative propaganda should be avoided and the nation should wait for one more day.”
He said they discussed all proposed names thoroughly and the committee would appoint the best man available.
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said all four names came under consideration and most likely consensus would be evolved in the final round of talks.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said it would be quite unfortunate if the matter was not resolved in the committee meeting, adding that politicians should resolve the political matters by themselves rather than it being resolved through non-political people.
Opposing sending the matter to the ECP, Shujaat said his party would not be part of any such move and the committee should have to decide the matter.
Sardar Yaqoob Nasir said if the matter was not resolved, it would be sent to the commission and there was no harm if the matter was sent to the commission, as it was also constituted by politicians.
Sardar Mehtab Abbasi said Dr Ishrat was a close relative of Ambassador Khalil, who was a close relative of President Zardari.
Khwaja Saad Rafique said 14 parties were consulted before finalising the names for the slot of the caretaker premier, so it was out of question to include any new name, as they would be have to taken into confidence again, which was not possible.
Earlier, it was reported in the media that harsh words were exchanged between Saad Rafiq and Naik.
Albeit, all members unanimously rejected reports that there was no such incident had taken place.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid said there was no stalemate in the committee and tomorrow’s meeting would be decisive, as the committee was close to deciding a caretaker prime minister.