PM expected to advise president to dissolve NA today

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is anticipated to submit his recommendation to President Arif Alvi regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly today.

The president is projected to dissolve the assembly on Wednesday, following a day, due to the necessity for a fresh delimitation process caused by the approval of the 2023 census outcomes, as noted by insiders.

The dissolution of the National Assembly will pave the way for the establishment of a caretaker government. Among the names under consideration, Dr. Hafeez Shaikh has emerged as a prominent contender. Dr. Shaikh, a former finance minister in the Imran Khan government, is a favored choice with close ties to the establishment.

While the final decision regarding the interim prime minister has not yet been made by the prime minister and the opposition leadership, Dr. Hafeez Shaikh remains a strong candidate for the role.

In the event of disagreement between the prime minister and the opposition leader over the selection, a parliamentary committee will be tasked with resolving the matter. Should the committee fail to reach a consensus, the Election Commission of Pakistan will assume responsibility for the decision.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, during a recent talk show appearance, disclosed that the shortlist for the interim prime minister includes Dr. Hafeez Shaikh and a retired judge. However, discussions have leaned towards appointing an economist to address the country's financial concerns during the caretaker government period.

To empower the caretaker government with decision-making authority, a recent bill was passed by the parliament, reflecting the government's intention to maintain economic momentum achieved with military support.

In light of the approval of the 2023 census results by the Council of Common Interests, the tenure of the caretaker government is expected to extend until at least March 2024. The dissolution of the National Assembly, upon the prime minister's advice, grants the Election Commission of Pakistan a 90-day timeframe to organize general elections.

However, considering the census approval and publication, the Election Commission of Pakistan will require approximately four months to complete constituency delimitation based on the latest population figures.