ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Leader of OppositionKhurshid Shah have agreed to the name of the caretaker prime minister.
Reliable sources have revealed that former Chief Justice of PakistanJustice (R) Tassaduq Hussain Jilani is the top choice for both thegovernment and the opposition.
Reaching a consensus on the important matter when the incumbent setup isleft with almost two weeks in power indeed demonstrates the politicalmaturity and willingness of the political parties to take forward thedemocratic setup. It will also send a positive signal to the masses thatthe political parties can sit together and sort out the issues amicably.
Though the name of the caretaker PM has so far been kept under the wrapsbut it has been learnt that Opposition Leader Khurshid Shah will announcethe name on 15th May after a formal meeting with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Weexpect that a well-regarded, apolitical and non-controversial figure willbe nominated for the important slot in order to avoid any controversies andhullabaloos before, during and after the general election.
Similarly, it is important that before announcing the name of the caretakerPM, the Opposition Leader also takes into confidence other oppositionparties so that reservations if any could be addressed well in time inorder to ensure a smooth and controversy-free installation of the caretakersetup. Same formula of bringing consensus candidates applies on theprovincial governments. Then, as the political activities will go in fullgear in the run up to the election, responsibility rests with the politicalparties to uphold higher democratic values.
Instead of mud-slinging, they should present their past performance andfuture programs before the masses as ultimately these are the voters whohave to decide their fate. Whilst a fierce political and election fight isthe beauty of democratic process but resorting to direct campaign will onlyundermine the electoral process.