Interim set-up: Assemblies to be dissolved at midnight on March 16, says minister
Prime Minister invites Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar to submit his nominations for caretaker premier.
Consultations have begun with coalition partners.
KARACHI:
The lower and upper houses of parliament will be dissolved along with the provincial assemblies at around midnight on March 16, Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after an event organised by Pakistan Hajj Group Organisers Committee, Shah said that the prime minister had already sent out a letter to Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar inviting him to submit his nominations for caretaker premier.
“We have gotten a response from Chaudhry Nisar’s Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz and the party will propose its names by Monday,” the minister said. For its part, he said, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party has “also started consultations with its coalition partners so that a consensus can be reached on the caretaker prime minister.”
Shah said that the government is trying to woo opposition parties so that President Asif Ali Zardari can address the last parliamentary session before its dissolution.
Speculation is rife among political circles that elections could be delayed owing to the escalating violence in several parts of the country amid security threats posed by militant groups. Firebrand cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march earlier this year was seen by many as a possible trigger for postponement. The deadly spectre of sectarian violence in recent week also reinforced this notion.
Quelling these rumours, however, Shah said many “political pundits” had predicted a number of times that the incumbent government will be ousted, but their assumptions have been proven incorrect.
“Now I am predicting here that the caretaker government will be installed on March 16 to rein the country and holding the upcoming election,” he said.
Responding to a question about former ally MQM’s decision to rejoin the government, Shah said: “MQM was our coalition partner and we will try to keep our alliance intact with the party in the future as well.”
Shah said that not only MQM, but the PPP government will take all stakeholders and opposition parties on board while making crucial decisions.
Insurance policy
Regarding the introduction of insurance policy for pilgrims, the minister said that the policy has been put in place to provide protection against any untoward incidents during Hajj.
“The government is charging Rs 400 from each pilgrim as per the policy. If any pilgrim dies while performing Hajj, the government will pay Rs 500,000 to the victim’s family,” he explained.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
The lower and upper houses of parliament will be dissolved along with the provincial assemblies at around midnight on March 16, Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after an event organised by Pakistan Hajj Group Organisers Committee, Shah said that the prime minister had already sent out a letter to Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar inviting him to submit his nominations for caretaker premier.
“We have gotten a response from Chaudhry Nisar’s Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz and the party will propose its names by Monday,” the minister said. For its part, he said, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party has “also started consultations with its coalition partners so that a consensus can be reached on the caretaker prime minister.”
Shah said that the government is trying to woo opposition parties so that President Asif Ali Zardari can address the last parliamentary session before its dissolution.
Speculation is rife among political circles that elections could be delayed owing to the escalating violence in several parts of the country amid security threats posed by militant groups. Firebrand cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march earlier this year was seen by many as a possible trigger for postponement. The deadly spectre of sectarian violence in recent week also reinforced this notion.
Quelling these rumours, however, Shah said many “political pundits” had predicted a number of times that the incumbent government will be ousted, but their assumptions have been proven incorrect.
“Now I am predicting here that the caretaker government will be installed on March 16 to rein the country and holding the upcoming election,” he said.
Responding to a question about former ally MQM’s decision to rejoin the government, Shah said: “MQM was our coalition partner and we will try to keep our alliance intact with the party in the future as well.”
Shah said that not only MQM, but the PPP government will take all stakeholders and opposition parties on board while making crucial decisions.
Insurance policy
Regarding the introduction of insurance policy for pilgrims, the minister said that the policy has been put in place to provide protection against any untoward incidents during Hajj.
“The government is charging Rs 400 from each pilgrim as per the policy. If any pilgrim dies while performing Hajj, the government will pay Rs 500,000 to the victim’s family,” he explained.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.