By IANS
Islamabad : Caretaker governments composed of non-political people will be installed at federal and provincial levels across Pakistan on Nov 15 in preparation for the general elections that are likely to be held early next year, the country’s Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said.
Durrani’s announcement Tuesday also carried an indication that both the exiled former prime ministers – Benazir Bhutto, who is returning home Thursday and Nawaz Sharif, who is planning to return in the second half of November – might participate in the general elections.
This, however, is subject to the Supreme Court’s verdict on the case challenging General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election to the country’s presidency.
If the verdict is adverse and the Oct 6 election is set aside, imposition of martial law cannot be ruled out, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Niazi warned on the same day as Durrani unveiled plans for the caretaker governments.
Durrani has said that incumbent provincial governors will continue to discharge their constitutional duties till the formation of a new government, The Daily Times reported Wednesday.
Media reports have speculated on various names, including a former chief of the Pakistan International Airways (PIA), for the post of the caretaker prime minister even as some people have been cited as allegedly “lobbying” for the post.
Durrani said the caretaker prime minister and chief ministers would be appointed after consultation with opposition parties, adding that the government has sought their proposals in this regard.
He added that the government would not tolerate attempts to sabotage the general elections and people would be given “a free hand to elect the new government”.