PM says no dissolution of National Assembly before time

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has ruled out the possibility of dissolution of the National Assembly before time, saying the government would work until last day of its tenure.

Mr. Khaqan stated this while holding consultations with the leader of opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah.

The leaders discussed the issue of appointment of a caretaker government, besides matters of national interest.

The Constitution of the country requires consultation between the prime minister and the opposition leader for the appointment of a caretaker government to hold the next general election, as the tenure of the present government comes to end by May 31.

Read: PM wants ‘undisputed, non-controversial’ person as caretaker prime minister

After his meeting with the prime minister, Mr Shah told reporters he had asked the question about the possibility of early dissolution of the assembly because he wanted to know if Mr Abbasi desired setting up of the caretaker government for 60 days or 90 days.

Mr Shah said if the National Assembly completed its five-year term then general elections were required to be held within 60 days and if it was dissolved even a day before completion of its term, then the elections were to be held in 90 days.

Talking to journalists, the PPP leader said Mr Abbasi had not proposed any name for a caretaker prime minister and had sought time for consultations with his allies.

“The prime minister said he will propose names for a caretaker prime minister after taking his allies on board. I also told him that I will also propose names after consultation with other opposition parties,” Mr Shah said.

This was the second formal meeting between the prime minister and the opposition leader on the issue of caretaker government.

In an interview last week, PM Abbasi said that caretaker premier should be such a person, who remains undisputed and non-controversial with an unblemished past.

Mr. Abbasi said there was no logic in delaying the upcoming elections as any holdup in that regard would be dangerous for Pakistan.

He also maintained that he had no favourite for the slot of caretaker prime minister.