PML-N shortlists candidates for caretaker PM

Islamabad, Aug. 29 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has said it has shortlisted nine candidates for the slot of caretaker prime minister and would pick three of them after consultation with other political parties.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the shortlisted candidates included retired judges, respectable lawyers and respected politicians, reports The Express Tribune.

The names of the selected candidates are yet to be disclosed.

"Only (PML-N president) Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar know (the names); it is between them so far," a senior party leader said.

The short-listing took place at a recent meeting between Nawaz and Nisar in Lahore.

The PML-N will put the names in front of other opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), for choosing three candidates that would be shared with the government for a final decision, the source said.

According to the 20th constitutional amendment, a caretaker prime minster is to be chosen through consultations between the premier and the National Assembly opposition leader. Both are allowed to propose three names each, and subsequently choose one. (ANI)