- The PPP proposed a premature dissolution of the National Assembly.
- Discussions took place on August 9, 10, but the government was advised against it.
- The PM had earlier said that his government would go before the completion of its term.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – two key stakeholders in the federal government – have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, sources said. geo news Tuesday
The five-year constitutional term of the current National Assembly expires at midnight on August 12 – four days after the date on which the two parties reportedly agreed to dissolve the legislature.
According to sources, discussions were also held on August 9 and 10, but it was decided to do so on August 8 to avoid any hindrance in early dissolution of the assembly.
By law, if the president does not approve the summary, the assembly dissolves after 48 hours – giving the government enough time to achieve its goal of premature dissolution.
“A general election to the National Assembly or to the Provincial Assemblies shall be held within a period of sixty days immediately following the day on which the term of the Assembly is due to expire, unless the Assembly has been dissolved sooner,” Article 224 The constitution says.
However, according to Article 224(2) of the Constitution, if the assembly is dissolved before its constitutional term, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is bound to hold general elections within 90 days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at a recent event, “Next month our government will complete its term. We will leave before the completion of our term and an interim government will come.”
The PPP had earlier proposed that the assembly be dissolved before its constitutional term.
What is the process of selection of caretaker PM?
Once the National Assembly is dissolved, the federal government will need a caretaker setup.
Article 224 of the Constitution lays down the procedure for the appointment of caretaker government at the center and in the provinces.
Till the formation of a caretaker government, PM Shehbaz will continue his duties as the Prime Minister, albeit for a few days.
Of all the elected representatives, the only one is the outgoing National Assembly Speaker, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who will remain in office until the newly-elected legislators take oath and elect his replacement.
Within 48 hours after the dissolution of the assembly, PM Shahbaz will write a letter to the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, seeking three names for the caretaker prime minister and suggest three names for the formation of the caretaker government. ,
If the deadlock between the two leaders over the nominee persists for three days, the NA Speaker will constitute a committee consisting of six members of the outgoing assembly, with equal representation from the treasury and the opposition.
In the committee, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will each put forward two nominees.
The committee will then have three days to agree on a name. If that also fails, the names of the candidates will be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan for a final decision within two days.
The selected nominee will perform the duties as the interim PM till the formation of a new government at the Centre. The caretaker prime minister also has the power to appoint cabinet members.
