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

ISLAMABAD: Expressing hope on consensual caretaker prime minister, PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that caretaker premier should be such a person, who remains undisputed and non-controversial, and whose past is clear.

In an interview, the prime minister said he had no favourite for the slot.

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

The prime minister, while lashing out at those who allegedly sold or bought votes in the recent election of Senate chairman and deputy chairman, said if the curse was not ended then such people [horse-traders] would be sitting in the parliament.

I will withdraw my statement regarding horse-trading in the election of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and deputy chairman if Pakistan Peoples Party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan declared on oath that they did not use money in the election.

He said a ruling party, having majority in the Senate, offered the slot of Senate chairman to the opposition party’s candidate but they refused. Had it happened it would have strengthened democracy in the country, the prime minister added.

Prime Minister Abbasi, to a question about any way out of discouraging the practice in future, said seats in the Senate should be allocated according to the party’s position in the provincial assemblies. It would increase stature of the parliament and also discourage all those who were using money in the Senate polls, he added.

The prime minister said he had asked the law ministry to prepare a draft summary for an amendment in that regard and if all the political parties were agreed on it then such an amendment could be brought in the parliament.

The prime minister while responding to a question about his recent meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, said there was nothing unconstitutional or illegal in the meeting where he and the chief justice put across their own point of views and talked on all issues openly.

My meeting with the CJP was not secret and finding solution of problems could not be termed as tension.

“Such kinds of meetings will strengthen democracy in the country, and if necessary he will meet the CJP again,” the prime minister added.

To another question, he said neither he nor former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had any tension with the institutions. He, however, said “We don’t expect any justice from the accountability court.”