General elections likely to be held in Feb 2024: Raja Riaz

Islamabad: Former Opposition leader in National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz claimed that upcoming general elections would take place in February 2024, which is three months later than the 90-day constitutional limit.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the dissident leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said he had suggested three names for caretaker premier.

Raja Riaz confirmed that he and PM Shehbaz had decided to withhold the other identities. The only person who was aware of Anwarul Haq Kakar's nomination was Shehbaz Sharif, he said.

The former opposition leader added that Balochistan had consistently been accused of being denied its rights, which is why the interim prime minister was chosen from the region.

Riaz referred to Kakar as a "neutral person," noting that the chosen PM is not a member of a significant political party and that no one has expressed any reservations.

In response to a query, he stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has not even mentioned or suggested the name of former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

In response to a different query, Raja Riaz stated that general elections would take place in February, which is three months over the 90-day period allowed by the constitution and falls in November.

The announcement follows Anwaarul Haq Kakar, a senator from the Balochistan Awami Party, being named the interim prime minister of Pakistan.