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A chronology of past caretaker prime ministers

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With the National Assembly standing dissolved, Pakistan is about to appoint its eighth caretaker prime minister to officiate a caretaker setup.

The former government concluded its constitutional term prematurely, by dissolving the 15th NA on Wednesday night, with the approval of President Arif Alvi.

However, no development has yet taken place in regard to the finalisation of a name for the coveted post despite weeks of consultations between the members of the outgoing government.

It may be noted that the Constitution bestows only limited and certain powers to the caretaker prime minister, one of which is the responsibility to hold impartial and fair elections in the country.

Seven people have served the post of caretaker prime minister in Pakistan’s history.

Let’s have a look at the past caretakers.

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (Aug-Nov 1990)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (L) and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (R), former caretaker prime minister and member of the National Democratic Alliance(NDA), cover their faces as police use teargas against demonstrators attempting to join her protest march to Islamabad, 19 November, 1992. — AFP
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (L) and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (R), former caretaker prime minister and member of the National Democratic Alliance(NDA), cover their faces as police use teargas against demonstrators attempting to join her protest march to Islamabad, 19 November, 1992. — AFP 

Jatoi was the first one to be appointed as the caretaker prime minister in the history of Pakistan. He was the leader of the opposition at the time of his appointment in August 1990.

Jatoi was appointed by then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan after the dissolution of the National Assembly, resulting in the removal of the then-prime minister Benazir Bhutto on charges of corruption.

He remained in office for over three months, before handing over the reins to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on November 6, 1990.

Balakh Sher Mazari (Apr-May 1993)

Former caretaker prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari. — Facebook
Former caretaker prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari. — Facebook

The second caretaker prime minister in Pakistan’s history was Balakh Sher Mazari, who was placed in the office of the prime minister in 1993, less than three years after the general elections of 1990.

Then-president Ishaq Khan once again violated the spirit of the system by dissolving the NA prematurely, ousting the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif on April 18, 1993.

Moinuddin Ahmed Qureshi (Jul-Oct 1993)

Former caretaker prime minister Moeenuddin Ahmed Qureshi. — Facebook
Former caretaker prime minister Moeenuddin Ahmed Qureshi. — Facebook

Under an army-brokered agreement, Nawaz and then-president president Ishaq Khan tendered resignations from their respective posts in July 1993.

Before signing off, Khan appointed Pakistani-American economist Moeenuddin Ahmed Qureshi as the third caretaker prime minister on July 18, 1993.

He jointly oversaw the 1993 polls with the army that marked the return of the Benazir-led PPP to power.

Malik Meraj Khalid (Nov 1996-Feb 1997)

Former caretaker prime minister and NA speaker Malik Meraj Khalid. — Facebook
Former caretaker prime minister and NA speaker Malik Meraj Khalid. — Facebook

Benazir’s government witnessed exactly the same fate as six years ago and former NA speaker Malik Meraj Khalid took charge as the fourth caretaker prime minister after his appointment by then-president Farooq Leghari in November 1996.

He served the post for nearly three months.

Khalid was succeeded by Nawaz, who again assumed the office of the prime minister after an overwhelming victory in the 1997 parliamentary elections.

Muhammad Mian Soomro (Nov 2007-Mar 2008)

Former caretaker prime minister Mohammad Mian Soomro. — Facebook
Former caretaker prime minister Mohammad Mian Soomro. — Facebook

It was until November 2007 that a caretaker prime minister was appointed as Pakistan saw almost a decade-long dictatorship under General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

Shaukat Aziz of the Musharraf-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-N) was the prime minister when Musharraf ordered then-Senate chairman Mohammad Mian Soomro to officiate the caretaker setup following the PML-Q-led government’s completion of the term.

After serving the post for nearly four months, Soomro transfered the power to PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gillani as the democratically elected prime minister in the 2008 general elections.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (Mar-Jun 2013)

Former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. — PPI
Former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. — PPI

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso was appointed the sixth caretaker prime minister in March 2013 after the end of the PML-N-led NA term under the then-prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf.

It was the first time that a caretaker premier was appointed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under Article 224A as the prime minister and leader of the opposition failed to reach a consensus on one candidate.

He remained in office for over two months and transferred the power to Nawaz as prime minister after the general elections in June 2013.

Nasir-ul-Mulk (June-Aug 2018)

Former caretaker prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk. — Supreme Court website
Former caretaker prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk. — Supreme Court website

After the dissolution of the NA on May 31, 2018, and the end constitutional term with Khaqan Abbasi as the prime minister, former chief justice Nasir-ul-Mulk took charge as the last acting head of the government.

He served for over two months.

After the 2018 general elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged victorious and the party’s chairman, Imran Khan, assumed the office of the prime minister.

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Punjabi bakers decide to charge Rs. 15 for “roti.”

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The bread, known as roti, will be sold for Rs 15 by the bakers association.

During their discussion, the association promised Food Minister Bilal Yasin that the rate of roti will be reduced.

The minister was there when Association President Aftab Gul recorded a video message committing to sell rotis for Rs15 each.

According to him, the administration decided to lower the rate of flour. He continued, saying that the group was supporting the government hand in hand to stop inflation.

The price of flour has been drastically lowered, according to Food Minister Bilal, to help the populace. He stated, “the government aimed at providing quality and affordable bread to the masses.”

He said that the recent reduction of Rs 1,200 in the price of flour was the biggest drop in the commodity’s prices in the nation’s history.

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Day four of the AJK inflation protest begins as talks come to a standstill.

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Following the collapse of talks between the Awami Action Committee and the AJK government on Sunday, the shutdown strike and protests in Azad Kashmir over rising flour and energy costs started their fourth day on Monday.

The ongoing shutdown and wheeljam strike would continue until their demands are fulfilled, according to the Awami Action Committee.

AAC-led march on state capital Muzaffarabad today has brought the valley to a near stop. The caravans are coming from many AJK cities, and they are headed towards Rawalakot. The march is being caused by the impasse in the negotiations.

Reportedly, the demonstrators have blocked the 40-kilometer Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road, which connects Kohala Town and Muzaffarabad, multiple times.

Traffic on main thoroughfares and roads has decreased, and large police contingents have been stationed at strategic points and roundabouts.

After fighting broke out between the police and demonstrators in Mirpur on Saturday, which left one policeman dead and numerous others injured, the AJK government dispatched Rangers.

Everything is completely suspended, including internet and cellular services, business, and education.

Under the pretext of talks, Awami Action Committee leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri has charged that the administration is using deceptive methods.

Apart from the flour subsidy, he continues, the administration will not budge on any other demand.

CONVENE MEETINGS, PRESIDENT, PM

All parties involved have been asked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari to use moderation and engage in discussions to find a solution. According to both, the demonstrators in Azad Kashmir should have their legitimate demands met.

The issue in AJK will be the topic of a significant meeting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is calling today, Monday.

The skirmishes between the demonstrators and the AJK police caused anxiety for the premier on Sunday.

Speaking with Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the prime minister of AJK, he said he also gave the office-bearers of the All-Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in AJK instructions to speak with the leaders of the Awami Action Committee.

Olive Branch is offered by AJK PM.

Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq stated on Sunday that his administration was ready to lessen the burden of exorbitant grain and energy costs.

Regarding Saturday’s meetings with the demonstrators, Prime Minister Haq declared, “We are determined to implement the agreement we have reached with the Awami Action Committee.”

Politicians, according to Haq, have found solutions to issues through discussion and “we are ready to talk with the Awami Action Committee at any level and the demands related to the government of Pakistan will be raised before the federation.”

In order to ease the burden of rising flour and power prices, he also expressed a willingness to modify the development budget if needed.

The AJK prime minister stated that his government’s first priority was ensuring public safety, and he further stated that no force was applied to the demonstrators.

Sub-inspector Adnan Qureshi was killed in a confrontation with demonstrators in Mirpur, and hundreds of people attended his funeral on Monday.

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Today’s National Assembly session is scheduled.

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The National Assembly (NA) will meet today (Monday) at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.

At 4:00 p.m., the National Assembly will convene in the federal capital at Parliament House. The meeting’s agenda has been released by the assembly secretariat.

As per Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has the authority to call a session of the National Assembly.

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