Mulk named caretaker premier

FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE ACCEPTABLE TO GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION — ABBASI

Former chief justice chosen to hold the post till general elections are held on July 25 |

Pakistan’s former chief justice Nasirul-Mulk was named as the caretaker prime minister yesterday till general elections are held on July 25.

The announcement was made at a press conference held by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah, which was also attended by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

“We discussed several names and all of them were credible but finally chose Nasir-ul-Mulk on merit as his name will be acceptable to everyone,” Abbasi told media.

He said all names under consideration were credible and were extensively discussed. “His [Nasir-ul-Mulk’s] role as a caretaker PM will be in favour of the country and the democratic process,” he said

“Today is a day of great importance in the democratic run of the country,” Abbasi said as he thanked Ayaz Sadiq for facilitating the process.

Making the formal announcement, Khursheed Shah explained: “We have chosen his name on the basis of merit. We took our parties into confidence and decided upon this name.” The PPP leader said that “he [Nasir-ul-Mulk] has played a historic role … in the judiciary, and when he was a lawyer.” Shah hoped that “God will give him [Nasir-ul-Mulk] the passion and courage to successfully conduct free, fair and impartial elections in Pakistan on July 25, 2018.”

Shah also congratulated the government as it is expected to conclude its fiveyear term on May 31. “We are happy that the government was able to complete its fiveyear term,” Shah said.

The name for the coveted position was announced after weeks of deadlock between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the opposition. However, both government and opposition leaders have expressed satisfaction over selection of Mulk as caretaker PM who is seen as a neutral and competent person for the job.

The second major opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leader, Imran Khan, also welcomed Mulk’s appointment and congratulated him. Mulk will take over as caretaker prime minister on June 1 as the current government is expected to conclude its five-year term on May 31.