Ahead of historic vote: Caretaker PM Khoso takes office

Interim premier expected to pick a pared-down cabinet.

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso was sworn into office on Monday, becoming the sixth caretaker premier of the country and putting the country on course for historic elections.

At a short ceremony presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and broadcast live on television, Khoso took the oath of office. Close associates of Zardari and members of the outgoing government attended the ceremony, including former prime ministers Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and the service chiefs.

The retired judge, who is 84 years old, was selected by the Election Commission after a parliamentary committee and rival parties failed to agree on a candidate.

Khoso, who hails from Balochistan, is now expected to pick a pared-down interim cabinet that will preside with him over the country until the victor of the May 11 general election can form a coalition government and take office.

Khoso was one of two candidates nominated by the outgoing government. The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N, frontrunner to win the election, also put forward two other names.

The previous caretaker prime ministers of Pakistan were Ghulam Mustafa Khan Jatoi from August 6, 1990 to November 6, 1990, Mir Balakh Sher Mazari from April 18, 1993 to May 26, 1993, Moin Qureshi from July 8, 1993 to October 19, 1993, Malik Meraj Khalid from October 6, 1996 to February 17, 1997 and Muhammad Mian Soomro from November 16, 2007 to March 24, 2008.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2013.