The proposal to nominate Ishaq Dar as the Caretaker Prime Minister is certain to attract widespread criticism and will have a huge impact on the transparency of the next elections.
The PML-N has decided to recommend Ishaq Dar’s name as the interim prime minister, saying the move is necessary to ensure the continuation of economic policies. However, the party seems oblivious to the impact the appointment will have on general elections.
Dar is currently the finance minister and is dealing with implementing the IMF agreement. The global financial institution sought guarantees from all political parties, including the PTI, that the deal will be honoured after the government completes its tenure. The prime minister also reaffirmed to hand over reigns to the next government but the reports of Dar’s expected appointment prove to the contrary.
The PML-N is also expected to make amendments to the Election Act, 2017, thereby allowing the caretaker setup to implement policies until a new government takes over. The move is controversial as the main role of the interim set to conduct elections rather than form policies.
The move to appoint Dar as the interim prime minister is also in defiance of the constitution, which states that the caretaker government must be impartial and neutral. Its main responsibility is to ensure that elections are held in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The decision to appoint a party leader, who is also closely related to the Sharif family, is in abeyance of the constitution.
The PPP and JUI-F, though allied with the PML-N, also seem displeased that Ishaq Dar’s name is being floated as the prime minister. There are doubts that he will ensure impartiality when given the task of holding the next elections. The interim setup will seem like an extension of the PML-N government and impact the level-playing field for other parties.
If the PML-N emerges victorious after the next polls, there will be certainly allegations of rigging. The country cannot afford to worsen the political crisis. Elections should strengthen the democratic process rather than create controversies. The PML-N needs to realize that appointing Dar will make the situation worse.
It is necessary to appoint a person as the caretaker prime minister who is impartial, neutral, and commands the trust of all parties and the nation. It is imperative that the caretaker setup should be appointed without controversy and ensure free and fair elections.
