Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, a senator, was chosen on Saturday to serve as Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister while general elections are held later this year.
After two rounds of discussion, the decision was made by outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz.
Kakar, a Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) lawmaker, would serve as interim leader until a fresh election is held later this year.
The next general elections will be held in 90 days as a result of Prime Minister Sharif’s recommendation to dissolve the National Assembly on August 9, three days before the end of the authorized term.
The country will be led through an economic and political crisis by Kakar, a less well-known politician from the south-western region of Balochistan, until a new administration is chosen.
The advise, which will be given to the president for approval, was signed jointly by the opposition leader and the prime minister, according to a statement.
According to Pakistan’s constitution, a caretaker administration oversees national elections, which must take place early in November, 90 days after the lower house of parliament is dissolved.
This time, choosing a caretaker prime minister has taken on greater significance since the candidate will have more authority to make choices on economic policy and because there are concerns that the elections may be postponed by up to six months.
A date for the election will be set when the election commission has redrawn the borders of hundreds of federal and provincial constituencies.
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, was found guilty of graft last weekend and given a three-year prison term.
The interim administration assumes control of a nation that has experienced political unrest ever since Khan was ousted by a no-confidence vote in April of last year, as well as converging economic and security concerns.
