Possible Caretaker PM Abdul Hafeez Shaikh reaches Pakistan

KARACHI: One of the contenders for caretaker prime minister (PM) slot, former finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has arrived in Pakistan, citing sources, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

The possible caretaker PM Abdul Hafeez Shaikh reached Karachi two days ago and contacted his close friends in Islamabad, said sources, adding that the former finance minister discussed political and economic situation with his aides.

Yesterday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari on Monday denied consensus on former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh’s name for the caretaker prime ministership.

READ: Opposition finalised three names for caretaker PM: Raja Riaz

“Rana Sanaullah should have not talked about Hafeez Sheikh’s name,” the PPP leader said reacting to the statement of the minister.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh was among the candidates shortlisted for the slot of the caretaker prime minister.

Shaikh’s name was among those earlier reported to have been included in a list of five finalised by parties in the ruling coalition for the caretaker prime minister. The purported list was also said to have included former chief justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.

READ: Ishratul Ibad among ‘candidates’ for caretaker PM slot: sources

Bokhari observed it’s not the prerogative of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to comment on the names of the caretaker prime minister candidates.

Commenting on the recently okayed digital census results, the PPP stalwart said a constitutional amendment is needed to increase the number of seats according to the new census.

It may be noted that PM Shehbaz Sharif announced to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) on August 9.