ISLAMABAD:
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is scheduled to meet with Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), in Dubai today.
Express News reports that Bilawal Zardari arrived in Dubai two days before his father on Emirates Air Flight EK601.
At the same time, Nawaz Sharif has arrived.
There will be a meeting of the coalition partners to discuss the caretaker government and general elections. They may also discuss the role of allies in the impending elections, changes to seating arrangements, the formation of a caretaker administration, and the selection of a caretaker prime minister.
As part of a larger plan to secure the implementation of the economic policies, the PML-N was reportedly considering presenting the name of Ishaq Dar for the caretaker prime minister, according to sources in the federal cabinet who spoke to The Express Tribune.
However, next week, after consulting with the PPP, a final decision will be made on Dar’s candidacy.
Read There Is Little Hope for Nawaz’s Quick Return.
According to PML-N sources, the government is thinking of changing Section 230 of the Elections Act 2017, which would give the caretaker set-up more authority to make economic choices. They mentioned that the National Assembly may see the proposed elections law changes as early as next week.
With these changes in place, the caretaker government would have the authority to jumpstart the economy.
According to Section 230, a caretaker (interim) government’s duties are limited to those absolutely necessary for the functioning of government on a day-to-day basis. Assisting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting lawful general elections, it will only take actions that are normal, noncontroversial, urgent, in the public interest, and cannot be undone by a newly elected administration.
Existing legislation also prevents the caretaker administration from making significant policy choices, with the exception of unforeseen emergencies. It is prohibited from entering into any major international discussion with any foreign country or international agency; signing or ratifying any international binding instrument; or entering into any substantial domestic contract or undertaking if doing so would be contrary to the public interest.
According to the sources, the proposal was to change both subsections of Section 230 that address the authority granted to the temporary structure.
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When asked for their thoughts on the proposed changes to the elections legislation, neither Azam Nazir Tarar, the minister of law, nor Marriyum Aurangzeb, the minister of information, reacted.
This would be the second high-level meeting between the two coalitions in a month.
Nawaz, Zardari, and Bilawal all met in Dubai on June 28 for a pivotal meeting.
The sources claim that the date of dissolution of the legislatures for the general elections, the interim government, and the seat adjustment, as well as the broader political situation and the next course of action, were discussed in this crucial meeting.
The possibility of Nawaz’s return to Pakistan was discussed as well.
