*ISLAMABAD: The government and the opposition have reached consensus overthe name of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk for the slot ofthe caretaker prime minister.*
This was announced at a joint press conference by opposition leader in theNational Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, who was flanked by Prime MinisterShahid Khaqan Abbasi and Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
At the beginning of the presser, the premier said: “This is an importantday of the country’s democratic journey in the days to come. We havereached consensus over a name for caretaker prime minister.”
He said they have picked such a name for the slot that no one will objectto.
Thanking all political parties for extending support in this regard, Shahsaid reaching consensus over a name for interim PM is a welcome sign.Justice Nasirul Mulk’s name has been picked up on the basis of merit, hesaid.
He expressed happiness over this consensus decision, saying they themselveswill decide their future. The supremacy of Parliament comes first and thatdecisions are made in parliament, he added.
The opposition leader hoped that the party that will come to power afterthe 2018 polls will tackle the problems facing the country.
Speaking to reporters earlier after a meeting with the premier in thecapital, Shah said: “The deadlock over a name for the interim primeminister has ended.”
He said the two leaders have reached a “fifty-fifty” consensus over a namefrom the six nominees, three each proposed by the government and theopposition.
The opposition leader said he will meet PM Abbasi again before they bothhold a joint press conference at 12:30 pm today in this regard.
The National Assembly is to complete its five-year term on May 31. Theprime minister and the opposition leader are required to pick withconsensus a name for the caretaker PM within three days of the dissolutionof the assembly.