The ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) is gearing up to approach coalition partners and opposition parties to discuss the possibility of introducing constitutional amendments to remove ambiguities related to the caretaker regime and ensure general elections are held on time as scheduled in summer.
Sources say that the PML-N wants to address various issues through new constitutional amendments, including introduction of eligibility criteria for caretaker set-up, description of the decision-making authority of the caretaker officials, and the constitutional status of the interim administration with regard the Senate and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared in its verdict given on June 6, 2013 that “a caretaker government possesses limited powers and authority, particularly in view of the fact that when it is appointed, there is no National Assembly in place and thus the all important aspect of accountability is absent”.
However, rumours are ripe about giving an extension to the yet-to-be-installed caretaker set-up to initiate a comprehensive accountability process.
According to official data, “the 18th Amendment in 2010 added sub-articles 1A and 1B to Article 224”.
Article 224 (1A) took away presidential discretion and extended the right to participate in the appointment of the caretaker prime minister (or chief minister in the provinces) to the prime minister and leader of the opposition in the outgoing National Assembly or chief minister and the leader of the opposition in the outgoing provincial assembly.
Sources said that the PML-N will try to pave the way for new constitutional amendment but it will be difficult as the main opposition parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), have been bitterly opposing the government in recent months.
When contacted, a federal minister gave an off-the-record version in which he confirmed that the party will approach the political parties and try to convince them for new amendment, “but if they give a negative response then we will formulate our own strategy to deal with it”.
Ex-premier Nawaz Sharif has floated the proposal for amendments to remove ambiguities related to the caretaker set-up.
However, the ruling party believes that any new legislation should also strictly prohibit giving an extension to the interim government, the sources said.
On the other hand, the sources pointed out that the minister of state for finance and economic affairs had stated in January this year that “the government can request the Supreme Court to give extension of two to three weeks to it after completion of its five-year constitutional term to approve the annual budget for the next fiscal year”.