ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly all set to be dissolved at the stroke of midnight tonight (Wednesday), just three days before completing its constitutional tenure.
Speaking at a ceremony at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, PM Shehbaz said: “On the completion of the incumbent government’s term, I would send a summary to the President of Pakistan for dissolution of the National Assembly by Wednesday (today).”
The premier confirmed that he would write to President Dr Arif Alvi today to bring an end to the incumbent government’s tenure.
“Tomorrow [Wednesday] my government completes its term and [after] meeting constitutional norms, we will hand over the reins to the interim set-up,” the premier said.
Later in interview with a private channel, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he would write to President Arif Alvi for dissolution of the National Assembly on Wednesday
The prime minister said as per law, if the president did not take up the summary within 48 hours, it would stand implemented and the Assembly would be dissolved.
Regarding the caretaker set-up, he said that consultations were underway with coalition parties to decide on a neutral interim prime minister who would be acceptable to the people.
The decision would be a collective one and after finalising the names, he would hold the first meeting with Opposition Leader Raja Riaz.
Regarding the new census, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that the government had fulfilled its constitutional obligation by presenting the census results to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) which approved it unanimously.
He stressed that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had the mandate to hold the elections, though all the parties unanimously wanted the elections as early as possible. Any delay in polls was just an assumption at that point, he added.
On the topic of candidates for next prime minister, he said that he had announced Nawaz Sharif to be his party’s next candidate. He emphasized that the perception of Shehbaz Sharif being Establishment’s favourite was mere a notion that resulted into nothing.
He emphasized the need for a balance between civil-military relations and urged all Pakistanis to join hands to address critical national issues. He called for all the national institutions to cooperate with each other but by observing their constitutional limits.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that on May 9, a conspiracy was carried out against the army. He denounced it as an unforgivable crime against those who have sacrificed their lives to protect the nation.
He recalled that the PTI celebrated when the court had banned Nawaz Sharif from holding the public office and politics but he would not allow his party workers to rejoice if the PTI chief met the same fate.
