By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday dismissed speculation that his finance minister would become the caretaker leader ahead of general elections, saying a neutral person would be chosen to ensure a fair vote.
Sharif, who leads the ruling PML-N party, told a television programme that he would consult with his allies, his brother and former premier Nawaz Sharif, and the opposition to agree on an interim government.
“A neutral person should be appointed to this position so that no one could question the elections’ results,” he said on Geo News television.
The caretaker set-up, which will take over after Sharif dissolves parliament in early August, will have the power to make policy decisions under a recently passed bill.
Sharif said he had no intention to delay the polls, which are expected to be held in October or November, even if a new census is notified.
He also said his party was open to seat adjustments with other parties, including the PPP and JUI-F, and that Nawaz Sharif would be the next prime minister if the PML-N won the elections.
Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by the Supreme Court in 2017 over corruption charges, is currently in London for medical treatment. He was allowed to leave the country on bail last year after a court sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Shehbaz Sharif also accused unnamed conspirators of plotting to overthrow the army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, on May 9, when violent protests erupted across the country over the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in graft charges.
“Being a prime minister, I am saying this on the basis of 100 per cent evidence that the May 9 conspiracy was aimed at overthrowing the army chief,” he said. “On that day, there was a plan to create anarchy and civil war in the country.”
The PM said those who attacked military installations would face military courts, while those who damaged public property would be tried in civilian courts.
He called for transparent accountability of those who hatched the conspiracy against the country and urged political parties to unite on a Charter of Economy to tackle the economic crisis.
“We had difficulty reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, but now the nation has to change its mode of living. On the other hand, the new government will have to utilise all resources and do hard work to bring the country out of the economic crisis. If we fail to do so we will never be remembered as a nation.”
He defended his close cooperation with the army chief, saying he wanted to reform agriculture, IT, and natural resources sectors and ensure that all state institutions work within their own domains.
The premier contrasted his approach with that of his predecessor Khan, whom he accused of using a “hybrid model” to malign opposition, create hatred among people, annoy friendly countries, and jam the wheel of the economy.
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