The situation of Pakistani political landscape became clear by Tuesday, with Shehbaz Sharif named as the candidate for prime minister and Zardari marching to become president for the second time. The PDM 2.0 government has also started to finalise names for other top slot positions.
According to sources, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf would once again take up the position of speaker National Assembly in the PDM 2.0 government. Meanwhile, Yousuf Raza Gilani would join the National Assembly after leaving his seat in the Senate. PPP in a statement said that PPP and PML-N agreed to foster a democratic government to tackle economic, political, legal and security challenges.
PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi reiterated that the party would not become part of the federal cabinet but would support the PML-N in forming the government. MQM, PML-Q, BAP and IPP would also support the Shehbaz Sharif-led PDM 2.0 government.
On the other hand, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat claimed that PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari contacted PTI with the help of middlemen. Sher Afzal stated PPP proposed that PTI could get its seats back under the law. However, Faisal Karim Kundi rejected the claim stating that they would have done it through proper channels if they wanted.
PML-N has nominated Maryam Nawaz for the position of chief minister (CM) in Punjab, but PPP has not finalised a name for CM Sindh. Murad Ali Shah, Nasir Shah and Faryal Talpur emerged as top contenders for the slot.
Summoning National Assembly session
Article 91 (2) of the Constitution bounds the president to summon a fresh session of the National Assembly by February 29 2024. Members of the National Assembly take oath on the first day of the session. On the second day, the election of a new speaker and deputy speaker will take place. By the third day, a new leader of the house will be elected.
Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, who also served as the minister of parliamentary affairs, said he would sign the summary for the NA session.
