PDM, other coalition partners repose trust in PM Shehbaz for nomination of caretaker PM

ISLAMABAD, August 04 (SABAH): The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and other coalition partners have put their faith in Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in nomination of the caretaker prime minister.

According to the sources of a private TV channel, the premier chaired a meeting of the allied parties through video link on Friday, wherein they reposed trust in him for finalisation of a name for the caretaker PM slot.

They said the prime minister could nominate any suitable person for the slot. The ruling coalition also asked him to hold consultation on the names recommended by the Opposition Leader Raja Riaz Ahmed Khan for the position.

Meanwhile, the names of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, independent lawmaker from Balochistan Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Fawad Hassan Fawad and Dr. Abudl Hafeez Sheikh are making the rounds as candidates for the caretaker prime minister.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and other senior leaders attended the huddle. Balochistan National Party Chairman Sardar Muhammad Akhtar Jan Mengal, Jamhoori Wattan Party (JWP) leader Nawabzada Shahzain Khan Bugti, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) leader Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Balochistan Awami Party leader Mir Khalid Hussain Magsi and National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Mohsin Dawar were also present during the meeting.

In the meeting, various names were considered for caretaker prime minister, sources said. However, the coalition parties have decided to continue further consultation, they said, adding that the meeting of the coalition parties will be held again.

The names of Abbasi, Hafeez Sheikh, and others were considered in the meeting as candidates for the interim PM slot.

The leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) held back-to-back meetings, but no decision has been taken so far in this regard.