Hafeez Shaikh included in candidates shortlisted for caretaker PM: Sanaullah

With the federal government all set to dissolve the Nationwide Meeting on August 9, Inside Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday confirmed that the identify of former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh can be shortlisted for the slot of caretaker prime minister, moreover different candidates.

Earlier immediately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly introduced that the Nationwide Meeting can be dissolved on August 9, simply three days earlier than the decrease home of parliament’s time period is scheduled to run out.

The present meeting’s tenure will finish on August 12 and if it completes its stipulated time then elections will probably be held inside 60 days. Nevertheless, the Structure states that the polls have to be held inside 90 days if the meeting is dissolved earlier than the completion of its tenure.

Talking throughout Geo Information’ programme “Naya Pakistan”, the safety czar stated that identify of a retired Supreme Court docket decide can be included within the listing of candidates shortlisted for the coveted put up.

“Title for the interim prime minister will probably be finalised by Tuesday or Wednesday (August 8 or 9),” he added.

Responding to a query, the federal minister stated that the names of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s names should not included within the listing.

Sources aware of the matter claimed that Pakistan Peoples Occasion (PPP) chief and former Punjab governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood’s identify can be included within the listing of shortlisted candidates.

The well-placed sources additionally stated that the names of Mehmood, Abbasi and Shaikh are into account for the slot of the interim premier.

They additional stated that Aslam Bhutani and Fawad Hasan Fawad are additionally included within the race for the caretaker PM.

In April 2019, then-prime minister Imran Khan appointed Shaikh because the adviser on finance whereas accepting the resignation of former finance minister Asad Umar. Shaikh was given the portfolio of finance minister in December 2019.

The transfer got here at a time of rising stress with the rupee dropping 30% of its worth for the reason that begin of 2018, stirring sharp inflation.

Shaikh, a Pakistani political economist of worldwide reputation with over 30 years of expertise, served because the finance minister from 2010 to 2013.

In 2012, he grew to become an energetic member of the PPP and efficiently contested within the 2012 Senate elections.

After leaving the federal government, Shaikh was a common companion of a global funding firm, headquartered in New York, which arrange a $1.38 billion fund for investments in Asia.

In March 2021, the then-PM Khan eliminated him from the put up of finance minister and Hammad Azhar was given an extra cost of the finance ministry.