Pak oppn names three to head caretaker government

Lahore: The main opposition PML-N on Wednesday said it had shortlisted two retired judges and a senior politician from Sindh province to head the caretaker government that will supervise Pakistan`s next general election.

"After four months of consultations with all opposition parties except Imran Khan?s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, we have shortlisted three names - Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, Justice Shakirullah Jan and Sindhi Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bakhsh Palejo - for the post of caretaker Prime Minister," said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a senior PML-N leader. Khan, who is Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, told a news briefing here that the PML-N had finalised the candidates after consulting almost all opposition parties. The PML-N has avoided direct consultations with Imran Khan?s party because of his constant criticism of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. "We have asked the Jamaat-e-Islami to consult Imran Khan on these three names by tomorrow," Khan said. "We are holding discussions with the Pakistan People?s Party government on the caretaker set-up and I will write to the Prime Minister tomorrow and propose these names for the caretaker premier." Khan said if the federal government failed to consult the PML-N on the installation of interim set-ups in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, the Punjab Chief Minister might not dissolve the provincial assembly on the same day as the National Assembly. The National Assembly will be dissolved after it completes its term on March 16. However, the Punjab Assembly is set to complete its term on March 18. The PPP and PML-N have reached an understanding on dissolving all the assemblies on March 16 so that polls to the national and provincial assemblies can be held on the same day. Under the rules, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition have to select the head of the caretaker government. If they fail to achieve consensus within three days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, they will forward two names to a bipartisan parliamentary committee to decide on a name within three days. If the committee, which will comprise four members each from the treasury and opposition benches, also fails to choose a consensus candidate, the names will be referred to the Chief Election Commissioner for a final decision within two days. PTI