Neutral politician can be appointed Caretaker PM: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has dismissed speculations that finance minister Ishaq Dar is being appointed as the caretaker prime minister.

Speaking to a private channel, the PML-N leader said there are only rumours on the name of the caretaker prime minister and no decision has been reached. He said that the interim setup will be decided in a few days.

He denied that Ishaq Dar’s name was being considered for the caretaker prime minister’s slot on any platform, saying a neutral person should be selected for the post.

Khawaja Asif said that if Ishaq Dar becomes the caretaker prime minister, the entire process will be put in question and will be opposed by political parties, media and the people.

He added that the federal government did not even give any indication of appointing Dar as the caretaker premier, and rather the report was leaked by a journalist in the media.

“I don’t think that PML-N branded person will be acceptable. The law also does not allow a party-affiliated person to occupy a neutral position,” he said.

He added that retired bureaucrats or judges have already been taken as caretakers. However, he said a politician who is neutral could be appointed as caretaker prime minister.

The defence minister admitted that objections will definitely be raised if the caretaker premier is appointed from the ruling party.

Khawaja Asif said that Nawaz Sharif will definitely return to the country soon. However, he did not mention a specific time for the former prime minister’s return.

He said that there are 15 days for the assemblies and the scales have not yet been levelled for Nawaz Sharif’s return.

Earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said the appointment and announcement of Caretaker Prime Minister will be made as per the procedure given in the constitution.

In a statement, she said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will seek guidance from PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and consult with coalition parties in the government.

The minister said the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition will complete the consultative process in accordance with the constitution.