The minister Rana Sanaullah confirms in a priate talk show saying that “a consensus has developed in recent days that someone deemed ‘neutral’ should be appointed to the position.
When asked if Shaikh was willing to accept responsibility, Sanaullah replied: “Sure he will.”
Shaikh’s name is among those believed to have been included in a list of five people finalized by the ruling coalition parties for the post of interim prime minister. The purported list is also said to include former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.
Apparently alluding to him, when Sanaullah was asked on Geo News today whether a retired Supreme Court judge would be among the shortlisted candidates, his response was he is very vague.
“Yes, there are people from all segments,” he said. When asked if former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan would be shortlisted, he replied:
“I don’t think so. He’s a senior member of our party and I don’t consider him neutral. How can someone from a political party be neutral?”
The minister also addressed turmoil following reports that the name of Finance Minister and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar had been made as interim prime minister and said that “because there is pressure to appoint a the ‘neutral’ person who takes care of the Prime Minister will not come from a political party”.
Sanaullah said the name of the acting prime minister would be announced on Tuesday and Wednesday and only one name will be announced, he added. PM Shehbaz is expected to share the proposed names with his brother and PML-N head Nawaz Sharif in London.
According to sources, elder brother Sharif will finalize three names that the prime minister will share with opposition leader in Parliament Raja Riaz Ahmed.
In addition to Shaikh and Jillani, other names are said to be being considered for the position of interim prime minister, including former prime minister Fawad Hassan Fawad’s former chief secretary, former permanent representative to the United Nations. Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pir of Pagaro Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi and former Governor of Pagaro Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi. Punjab and PPP. Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood.
