PM forms five-member committee for caretaker setup

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday constituted a five-member committee to engage in consultations regarding the caretaker setup.

The committee comprises prominent members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) including Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, and Ishaq Dar.

The sources said that the committee's primary task would involve holding discussions with various political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazl (JUI-F), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), as well as other allied parties, to reach a consensus on the caretaker setup.

The PML-N committee would engage with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and other allied parties to determine the appropriate date for dissolving the National Assembly.

During a separate event on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the importance of the "Economic Revival Plan" for the upcoming government.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a model Special Economic Zone (SEZ), he acknowledged the pressure exerted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and expressed gratitude for the support received from friendly countries.

The PM assured the friendly countries that Pakistan aims to reduce its reliance on external loans in the future. He emphasized the need to encourage investment in the SEZ by offering industrial zones on lease to the business community.

The premier questioned the feasibility of attracting investments if the government continues to raise land prices and advocated for leasing lands to expedite the nation's growth. He expressed confidence in surpassing the economic performance of neighboring countries.