PML-N, PPP hammer out deal on interim setup & electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD, July 14 (SABAH): PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari have shaped up their plans for the caretaker setup that will take over the government in August when the National Assembly completes its term and the current government is dissolved.

The caretaker government will oversee the general election due to be held in November. The two political leaders held a meeting in Dubai in June where they agreed on holding general elections on time along with addressing concerns regarding electoral reforms and caretaker setup. No official statement was issued back then and details of the meeting were kept under wraps.

As per media reports, Zardari and Nawaz have decided to include individuals from the political landscape and the former members of the judiciary in the interim government, while “powerful” technocrats will not be made part of the interim setup.

The discussions were considered as a continuation of the Charter of Democracy, a document aimed at strengthening democratic processes in the country, the sources added.

They went on to add that the interim setup in the center will see a greater representation from the PML-N, while the PPP and other parties will be proportionally represented.

The two political giants were also in agreement for not disclosing the names of the potential members of the caretaker setup prematurely in the media and party meetings, the sources stated.

The leadership of both parties is reported to have been discussing their potential nominees for the interim setup.