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Who will be the next caretaker PM?

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As the National Assembly is set to be dissolved today (Tuesday), all eyes are set on who will get the coveted post of caretaker prime minister.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government has decided to dissolve the lower house of parliament prematurely on August 9 (today), three days shy of its constitutional term ending on August 12, to allow the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold general elections within 90 days instead of 60 days stipulated time period if legislature completes its tenure.

Guessing game is rife on mainstream and social media, with analysts and political pundits speculating the name of a potential candidate for the post of interim prime minister.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that no name for the caretaker prime minister had been finalised yet, and consultation on the matter with allies and party supremo Nawaz Sharif was underway.

Under the Constitution, PM Shehbaz and Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz are required to hold deliberations to pick the interim prime minister.

However, they have not held a consultation yet with sources telling the Geo News that Riaz postponed meeting with the premier today owing to his “busy schedule”.

However, he himself confirmed that despite the delay, his meeting will be held today. “It is possible to meet the prime minister again tomorrow.”

The meeting between the two was scheduled to be held today at 4pm, while the opposition leader was informed about it in writing.

Names for caretaker PM emerge so far

Incumbent Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s name was first reported in the media for the slot of caretaker prime minister.

Following the backlash, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rejected the media reports saying that his name was never proposed for the coveted slot.

Lately, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah revealed that former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh, who served as the financial czar during the previous tenure of PPP and PTI-led governments, is among the candidates for the caretaker PM.

The names of PML-N Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Punjab governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood were also reported by the sources to be in the race for caretaker prime minister.

The name of Jalil Abbas Jilani, former foreign secretary and Pakistan envoy to Washington, is also being speculated for the post of caretaker prime minister.

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According to Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, accusations made against Pakistan by Bushra Bibi, the spouse of the PTI founder, are vile and disgusting because Pakistan has historical relations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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The defense minister stated at a press conference in Islamabad that the Kingdom should not be involved in politics for selfish reasons because of our historical, religious, and economic ties with Saudi Arabia.

2.8 million Pakistanis work in Saudi Arabia and send millions of dollars in remittances, he added, adding that making unfounded accusations against the country will hurt Pakistan’s economy.

According to him, Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan throughout its most trying moments, and Pakistanis have a deep affection and connection to the Kingdom.

There is a breach among PTI ranks and files, and Khawaja Asif stated that we have never witnessed such a low point in politics.

Given the gravity of the accusation, the Minister said, former Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa should respond right away.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should fight terrorism rather than target the city, he said, adding that the PTI’s demand for a demonstration on November 24 is the third strike on the federal capital.

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The Interior Ministry prohibits KP from using government machinery for PTI protests.

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not allowed to use the resources of the Provincial Government for a party protest, according to the Interior Ministry.

On November 24, the PTI has scheduled a protest, and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has declared his intention to participate.

The Federal Government arrested a number of Provincial Government officials who were ordered to participate in the violent protest in Islamabad by the PTI, and confiscated vehicles used by the KP Government against the state during the previous protest in October.

However, the Jinnah Supermarket Traders Union has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to halt the PTI demonstration in the capital and deem it unlawful.

In the petition, the head of the Traders Union has asked the court to rule that the PTI protest violates fundamental human rights by preventing companies from operating and removing the public’s ability to visit stores for necessities.

The petition asked the high court to protect the capital’s workers and PTI founder from unlawful protests.

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Planning Minister: The Nation Is Back on Track for Development

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Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, asserts that the country’s youth are its future and that Pakistan has made great strides over the past 77 years, becoming the sixth nuclear state in the world today.

Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal stated that inconsistent policies have an impact on the development process.

According to Ahsan Iqbal, the CPEC got Pakistan on its path to growth, and the government is currently moving on with phase two of the project.

The country was in danger of defaulting, but the government has put it back on course, he said.

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