Imran Khan was de-notified as the Pakistan prime minister hours after the country’s president dissolved the National Assembly on Sunday. The process to appoint a caretaker premier has been initiated. Read on to know how the caretaker PM will be chosen.
(L-R): Imran Khan; Supporter of ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hold the national flag during a protest in Islamabad;Pakistan’s opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif (Image: AP)
The Pakistan National Assembly (NA) was dissolved on Sunday following political turmoil in the country. A parliamentary election is likely to be held in three months.
Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi dissolved the assembly minutes after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri rejected the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan governmentwho had effectively lost the majority in the 342-member lower house of Parliament.
Later, President Alvi issued an order de-notifying Imran Khan as the prime minister of the country with immediate effect on Sunday night.
Post-midnight, President Alvi issued another order asking Imran Khan to continue as interim prime minister until a “caretaker prime minister” is chosen under Article 224 A of Pakistan’s constitution.
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Alvi wrote to Imran Khan and Leader of the Opposition Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday over the appointment of a caretaker prime minister.
Article 224A (1) of Pakistan’s constitution empowers the president to appoint the caretaker prime minister in consultation with the incumbent prime minister and the leader of the Opposition.
According to reports, the process to appoint a caretaker premier has been initiated. This is how the caretaker prime minister will be chosen in Pakistan:
>> On Monday, President Arif Alvi sent letters to Imran Khan and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to seek suggestions for the appointment of a caretaker prime minister for Pakistan.
>> If the two leaders do not agree on a person within three days of the dissolution of the National Assembly, then two names will have to be sent to the committee formed by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
>> The committee constituted by the Speaker will have a total of eight members and will have equal representation from the government and the Opposition.
>> The committee members will be nominated by the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition.
>> In case, the committee fails to appoint a caretaker prime minister, the president will take a decision in consultation with the election commission of Pakistan.
Imran Khan continues as Pakistan’s prime minister till President Alvi appoints the caretaker prime minister.