Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that he would try to ensure a neutral caretaker prime minister for holding free, fair and transparent election in the country. Talking to media persons on Tuesday, the opposition leader said, "The caretaker prime minister should not be part of any political party. However, every person has affiliation with a political party. But there is difference between affiliation and holding a party position. We will not propose the name of such a person who enjoys a party position," he claimed.
"I will try to propose the name of such a person for caretaker prime minister who had performed a role of executive in administration. I will give preference to a well-known and experienced person for caretaker prime minister," Shah added. Answering a question, he said, "I will try my level best that consensus is developed between me and the Prime Minister on a name for caretaker prime minister. This matter should not be referred to the Parliamentary Committee and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)."
Answering another question, he said, "The general elections should be held as soon as possible in the country." Shah said that he has not discussed the matter of caretaker setup with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership so far. He added that an advisory session will be held in the presence of party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
The federal government is going to complete its tenure on May 31, 2018, and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi will ask the President to dissolve the assemblies. Under the Constitution of Pakistan, the prime minister and leader of the opposition have to agree on the name of the caretaker prime minister. According to the sources, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi suggested to Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah that the caretaker prime minister should not be a retired judge; and that the opposition should nominate a bureaucrat or a technocrat for the position.