Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif wants an impartial interim premier and might become PM if his party wins.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has dismissed the possibility of appointing Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as the caretaker Prime Minister. He stated that a “neutral person” will be chosen to lead the interim government before the upcoming general elections to ensure transparency in the process. Shehbaz Sharif also indicated that his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, who has been in self-imposed exile in London since 2019, will return to Pakistan soon. He asserted that if their party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), wins the election, Nawaz Sharif will become Prime Minister.

The dissolution of the National Assembly will be notified to President Arif Alvi shortly before the completion of its tenure, which is set for midnight on August 12. The caretaker government will be agreed upon after consultations with allied parties, Nawaz Sharif, and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz.

To ensure impartiality, PM Shehbaz stressed the need for a non-partisan politician to lead the caretaker government. The PML-N aims to make seat adjustments with allied parties and field candidates in constituencies where a consensus cannot be reached.

In response to rumours about Dar’s appointment as interim Prime Minister to handle the country’s financial woes, PM Shehbaz reassured that an efficient interim government would be established. He also mentioned that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will face legal consequences upon his return to Pakistan due to his past disqualification and corruption cases.

Regarding the May 9 riots triggered by the arrest of former PM Imran Khan, PM Shehbaz called it a conspiracy against Pakistan. He accused Imran Khan of being the “mastermind” behind the riots, which aimed to topple the military leadership and incite a civil war. The violent protests resulted in casualties and widespread arrests.

The Premier highlighted that his government managed to steer the country away from default risk and restore Pakistan’s lost dignity in the past 15 months. He called for unity among political forces and emphasised the need for them to agree on a Charter of economics.