President Arif Alvi Approves National Assembly Dissolution
Pakistan’s National Assembly has been dissolved following President Dr. Arif Alvi’s endorsement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal to disband the legislative body.
The President’s Office, in an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the President dissolved the National Assembly under Article 58-1 of the Constitution, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice.
Government Term Ends Prematurely
The current government’s term, which began after the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote, has concluded ahead of schedule due to the dissolution of the lower house of parliament.
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Announcement
During a session of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his intention to write to President Arif Alvi, leading to the premature end of the government’s tenure.
Elections and Potential Delay
Although the assemblies were initially set to dissolve on August 9, ministers have raised the possibility of a delay in the upcoming general elections due to the unanimous approval of the 2023 census by the Council of Common Interest.
Caretaker Setup Formation
Following the National Assembly’s dissolution, the government and opposition must agree on a caretaker setup to bridge the gap before the next general election and the installation of a new elected government.
Search for Caretaker Prime Minister
Discussions are ongoing within the ruling coalition to select a “mutually agreed” caretaker prime minister. Names like Ishaq Dar, Hafeez Sheikh, and Justice Shakeel Baloch have surfaced, but the government has yet to confirm any.
Jalil Abbas Jilani Emerges as Strong Candidate
Former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani has emerged as a leading contender for the caretaker Prime Minister’s position, with sources indicating his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Finalizing the Caretaker PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz are scheduled to meet on August 10 to finalize the selection of the caretaker prime minister.
