Caretaker PM: Big surprise in waiting

As speculation rages on regarding the identity of the caretaker premier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held cards close to his chest during a farewell meeting with reporters, keeping everyone on tenterhooks with his responses, and only revealed that the name would be finalised on Saturday (today).

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister Office, Shehbaz kept the details tightly under wraps despite being prompted several times to reveal the name and skillfully evaded the questions.

However, insiders let slip subtle hints that have left many intrigued and speculating about the potential candidate.
The prime minister, nonetheless, offered a mere morsel of insight, revealing that the name could be revealed by Saturday (today).

The prime minister hinted at ongoing discussions and meetings with the heads of coalition parties and the leader of the opposition, laying the groundwork for a final decision on the caretaker prime minister's name.

However, he added that the matter could be referred to the parliamentary committee with a mandate to dispose of it within three days in case consensus is not evolved on a single name. In case of no agreement at the committee level, he said, the matter would be taken up by the Election Commission of Pakistan, which would have to take the final decision within two days.

Yet, amid this carefully orchestrated secrecy, whispers from within the PM Office added layers of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. Startling the assembled reporters, those in the know revealed that the media’s fervent conjectures and the names discussed in the public sphere were nowhere near the mark.

The name that had been under wraps was poised to astonish many, a fact acknowledged by the insiders.

Dropping a tantalising hint, those privy to the inner workings of the developments, let slip that the chosen individual hailed from within, thereby potentially dismissing the likes of former military ruler Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif from contention soon after his name started making the rounds.

The sources went on to express that the media’s fervent speculations were far from definitive.

While the media had been quick to anoint certain individuals as frontrunners for the interim PM’s position based on their meetings with the incumbent prime minister in recent days, insiders cautioned against assuming that these were the sole contenders. The plot, it seemed, was thicker than appearances would suggest.

When queried about the possibility of the “person within” being incumbent Finance Minister Ishaq Dar or Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, the response remained cryptic, draped in uncertainty as neither any name was confirmed nor ruled out.

As Pakistan’s political landscape is gearing up for transition, it was said that the notion that this individual being considered for the interim PM could be anyone but those already named in the media was underscored, with the promise of a significant surprise looming large.

“A big surprise is on the cards,” they said.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz recalled the toughest moments of his 16-month rule, saying saving the country from default and extending help to the flood victims were among the things that gave him relief.

To a question about the letter written by President Arif Alvi to him and the opposition leader to finalise the name by Aug 12, PM Shehbaz said the procedure was very clear in the Constitution.

He said that the 16 months of his stint as the premier was the most difficult time of his 38-year-long political career.
However, he said, teamwork and efforts from all stakeholders helped the government achieve success on different fronts.

PM Shehbaz had invited the beat reporters when he had come to power in April 2022 and he has again invited the reporters before saying adios to the prime ministership.