Amidst political crisis, here’s a look back at Pakistan caretaker premiers

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has proposed the name of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed— who had disqualified Nawaz Sharif— to serve as the caretaker PM of Pakistan.

On Monday, Imran Khan nominated former Justice Gulzar Ahmed as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear that he would not be nominating a name for the post. 

The development comes after President Arif Alvi had written a letter to both Khan and Sharif regarding—seeking suggestions for the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister. 

The incumbent Prime Minister shall continue to hold office till appointment of the caretaker premier, the notification said.

Just in case, Imran and Shehbaz fail to reach a consensus over a name within three days, each one of them will send two names to an eight-member parliamentary committee to be formed by the NA speaker. 

In the meantime, Pakistan currently faces its highest inflation at 12% as its rupee has already lost 50% to the dollar since Imran Khan came to power. 

Prior to this, a number of seven people have served as caretaker prime minister of the country to head an interim government before general elections.

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi 

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi was appointed caretaker Prime Minister in 1990 by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. He later stepped down from his office after Nawaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister in the October 1990 elections.

Mir Balakh Sher Mazari 

On 18 April 1993, Mir Balakh Sher Mazari was appointed as the caretaker president by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan after he dismissed the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the charges of corruption.

Though he only had a shorter span as the Caretaker Prime Minister Mazari’s foreign policies stood out strong. Mazari attended the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit as Pakistan’s representative head and called upon the OIC to take resolute steps to condemn Indian atrocities and violations of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Moeenuddin Ahmad Qureshi 

Moin A. Qureshi began his career in the Government of Pakistan in 1953 where he held a series of responsible positions in financial planning. During 1981-1987, he worked as Senior Vice President, World Bank and from 1987 to 1991; he was in charge of all World Bank operations.

Mr. Qureshi left the World Bank in 1992 and agreed to serve as Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan for an interim period from July 18, 1993, to October 19, 1993.

Malik Meraj Khalid 

Malik Meraj Khalid was nominated as Caretaker Prime Minister in November 1996 after President Farooque Leghari removed Benazir Bhutto led People’s Party government, and held the office until February 1997.

He had joined Pakistan People’s Party soon after its inception in 1968 and was appointed President of the party’s Lahore chapter. 

Muhammad Mian Soomro 

Muhammad Mian Soomro served as the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan from the 2003 to 2009. A globally recognized professional banker, Soomro was named Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan from 16 November 2007 to 25 March 2008 before the general elections. He also became the Acting President of Pakistan after the resignation of Pervez Musharraf on 18 August 2008 by virtue of his office of the chairman of the Senate.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso 

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso was appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25 March 2013, by the Election Commission of Pakistan. The President of Pakistan at the time, Asif Ali Zardari, administrated the oath to the cabinet.

Nasirul Mulk 

Appointed by Former President late Mamnoon Hussain Former Chief Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk served as Pakistan’s seventh caretaker prime minister who supervised the general elections in July and run the interim set-up for around two months.