ISLAMABAD, Aug. 12 (NNI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raja Riaz have reached an agreement over appointing former senator Anwarul Haq Kakar as caretaker Prime Minister, the PM office said Saturday.
Kakar is an ‘independent’ senator from Balochistan province.
The announcement was made in a statement by the prime minister’s office and Raja Riaz while talking to reporters after his meeting with the PM.
Kakar is an ethnic Pashtun and was chosen as a senator in Pakistan’s upper house of parliament in 2018.
He is also a founding member of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). But according to the Senate website he is mentioned as an independent.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the Prime Minister and the opposition leader jointly signed the advice and sent it to President Arif Alvi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Opposition Leader over his cooperation in the consultation process for nomination of the caretaker Prime Minister.
Later talking to the media persons, Opposition Leader Raja Riaz said the name of Anwar ul Haq Kakar was proposed by him and the Prime Minister agreed to it.
He said the main purpose was that the caretaker Prime Minister should be from a small province and a non-controversial personality. He said the aim was also to remove the sense of deprivation of small provinces.
Responding to a question, Raja Riaz said that the caretaker Prime Minister is expected to take oath of office on Sunday.
When asked about the caretaker cabinet, he said no discussion was held today on it as the prerogative rests with the caretaker Prime Minister to finalize the names of the caretaker cabinet.
The summary, in this regard, has been forwarded to President Arif Alvi for approval after Sharif’s signature. NNI
