The establishment may drop the name of Dr Hafeez Pasha as its favourite candidate for the slot of caretaker Prime Minister in favour of his wife Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, currently the Punjab Minister for Finance, it was learnt reliably.
Sources in the establishment told Business Recorder that the name of distinguished economist Dr Hafeez Pasha was tipped as the strongest candidate for the post since the establishment wanted a person with a strong economic background to lead the interim setup. However background discussions are under way and no name has been finalized yet.
Sources added that in the most recent deliberations, reservations were expressed for the candidature of Dr Hafeez Pasha, mainly because of his ill health, and his wife has emerged as a serious candidate. However, while she too is an economist of note yet she is too closely associated with the PML-N government for the opposition to accept the proposal, sources said further.
The sources further told Business Recorder that the stakeholders want a neutral and very competent team in place this time to ensure a smooth and timely transition of government.
The sources also noted that a competent and neutral team is all the more necessary as there is a possibility that elections may be delayed and the interim government stays for a longer period than allowed by the constitution, the sources added.
Former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and former governor State Bank of Pakistan Ishrat Hussain are also possible contenders for the prime ministerial slot in the upcoming caretaker setup, set to take oath on June 01, 2018, the sources said.
Former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani served as 21st chief justice of Pakistan from December 2013 to July 2014. After the imposition of emergency by former military dictator Pervez Mushrraf in November 2007, Jilani was among the senior apex court judges who refused to take a fresh oath.
Earlier, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that consultations are ongoing between the government and the opposition to finalize the name of caretaker prime minister.
The current assemblies complete their five-year tenure on May 31. Under the constitution, the caretaker prime minister is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
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