Part time PM needed
Nawaz Sharif left Pakistan more than three weeks back to undergo open heart surgery. It is still unknown when he is likely to return to resume his duties. While he has had a walk along with his spouse in London’s Hyde Park, it is not clear if presently he possesses the energy needed to do the job of the country’s chief executive who has to receive inputs from heads of ministries, negotiate with politicians, preside over and guide high level meetings and meet foreign dignitaries. With Nawaz Sharif resting abroad, the talks of the ToRs committees on Panama leaks face a deadlock. The issue of the appointment of new members of the ECP too hangs fire on account of the PM’s absence. The maiden meeting of the parliamentary committee which will short-list names for appointment as ECP members was postponed at the last minute on Thursday to seek input from the PM. While Dar is back from London, Pervez Rashid is on his way to meet Sharif.
With Nawaz Sharif also holding the portfolio of foreign affairs, he is required to play a key role in the formulation of the country’s foreign policy. He is also required to frequently travel abroad, attend international meetings and hold talks with foreign leaders. His absence was acutely felt when his Indian counterpart traveled from country to country to lobby for India’s inclusion in the NSG. Nawaz Sharif will not be able to attend the SCO summit next week where Pakistan is to be formally inducted as full member. Sharif’s prolonged absence has led to further shrinking of the civilian government’s clout. Early this month two key federal ministers accompanied by advisers were summoned to the GHQ for a meeting, something unheard of in democracies.
There is a need to nominate someone else from the PML-N parliamentarians to act as the prime minister till Sharif is fit enough to resume his duties. The least that needs to be done is to appoint a full time foreign minister.