Sanaullah says Hafeez Shaikh among candidates for caretaker PM slot

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah revealed on Sunday that former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh is among the candidates shortlisted for the caretaker prime minister slot.

The disclosure was made by the interior minister while talking to Geo News, where he highlighted the growing consensus that a “neutral” individual should be appointed to the top slot.

When asked about Shaikh’s willingness to take up the responsibility, Sanaullah affirmed, “He surely would be.”

Earlier, it was reported that Shaikh’s name featured in a list of five candidates finalized by parties within the ruling coalition for the caretaker prime minister. The purported list also included former chief justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.

In response to questions about whether a retired judge from the apex court was among the shortlisted candidates, Sanaullah’s reply was ambiguous. He stated, “Yes, there are people from all segments.”

When inquired about former prime minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan’s inclusion in the shortlist, Sanaullah expressed doubt, saying, “I don’t think so.

“He is a senior member of our party… and I don’t consider him neutral. How could a person from a political party be neutral?”

The minister emphasized that since there was a strong demand for a “neutral” individual to be appointed as the caretaker prime minister, the selection would not be made from a political party.

Sanaullah said that the announcement of the caretaker prime minister’s name was expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

This revelation by the minister comes just three days before the government’s deadline for the dissolution of the assemblies, after which a caretaker setup will take over the country’s governance until a new government is elected.