Nawaz, Zardari stick to guns over nomination of caretaker PM

ISLAMABAD: Differences have emerged between Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the nomination of a  caretaker prime minister.

According to reliable sources, the caretaker prime minister’s nomination issue is likely to land in the parliamentary committee as the two top leaders have not budged on their nominated candidates.

The sources said that the PPP wants former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani as the caretaker prime minister, and the party’s top leadership has also informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about it.

On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif wants his candidate for the caretaker prime minister. The sources said that Ishaq Dar’s name is still on the list of the PML-N for the caretaker prim ministership.

The sources said that the PPP also wants elections to be held in February or March with new delimitations. On the contrary, the PML-N has not taken a clear stance on the election timing.

Within the coming 24 hours, the sources said it was expected that the leaders of both parties will engage in consultations to reach a consensus on the name of the caretaker prime minister.

Names of Jalil Abbas Jilani, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Ishaq Dar and Hafiz Sheikh are being considered for the caretaker prime minister’s slot.

It is also expected that Nawaz and Zardari will contact each other on the issue in the next 24 hours. A meeting is also expected between Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to sort out the issue.