Government tenure to conclude on August 14: PM Shehbaz

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday declared that the election date will be determined by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and that the government's term would expire on August 14.

A day after his meeting with the leader of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the prime minister made this statement and favours dissolution of assemblies and general elections on time.

According to earlier reports, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was anxious to hold elections on time when the legislature was dissolved, but other partners including the PPP and JUI-F pushed for the elections to be held on time.

The matter was thoroughly addressed during a meeting that the PML-N and PPP's top leaders and decision-makers attended last week in Dubai.

“I assure you that our government’s tenure will end on Aug 14 and elections will be announced by the ECP,” the PM said. He hoped that whichever government comes, it will prioritise the education. 

According to reports, the leadership of the PML-N and PPP met in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and came to agreement on a number of topics, including candidates for the caretaker administration and a formula for power sharing if the two parties win the upcoming election.