Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice (retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk was named caretaker prime minister on Monday. The announcement was made by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah at a press conference in Islamabad following a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Khursheed Shah while addressing a press conference along with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced that Justice (retd) Mulk will take reigns as caretaker premier. “We have selected a candidate for caretaker premier who will prove to play a democratic role in the upcoming general election,” Shahid Khaqan said. “Every name was discussed, and this name was decided upon. It’s a name no one can point fingers at,” he added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also seems pleased over the development as party’s chairman took to Twitter to congratulate the former chief justice moments after the decision was announced. Usually it is not a common scene to see all the political parties on the same page on a particular issue. But it is pleasing development that all the major political parties showed unity in nominating the caretaker prime minister. Considering the fact that all the political parties have shown trust on Justice Mulk and now it seems he is the right man for the job.
During his days in Supreme Court as chief Justice, Mulk headed the three-member bench in 2012 that ruled against Yousaf Raza Gilani in the Swiss letter case and duly sent a sitting PM packing. He also announced verdict that nothing untoward happened while overseeing Imran Khan’s allegations of electoral rigging in 2013 general elections. Yet both PPP and PTI welcomed the development of announcing Mulk as caretaker prime minister. It portrays good reputation of Nasir-ul-Mulk that the parties that were affected by his rulings have accepted him as the right choice.
The appointment of Justice (rtd) Nasir-ul-Mulk as caretaker Prime Minister is an applauding move because he has the experience that is required to make sure that the general elections are conducted in as free and fair a manner as possible. He has served not only as a former Chief Justice of Pakistan but also served as the interim chief of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Indeed Mulk has a challenging task ahead to ensure smooth election process in the country. We hope that he will held timely, free and fair elections that will lead the country into its next democratic transition.
It is pleasing development that all major political parties have shown unity in naming Nasir ul Mulk as caretaker PM.
