Ishaq Dar to be appointed as caretaker PM if there is consensus: Ahsan Iqbal

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) key leader Ahsan Iqbal has said if the coalition parties and opposition agree, Ishaq Dar could be made caretaker prime minister, reported the 24NerwsHD TV channel.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal while talking on a talk show aired by a private TV channel said that everyone must agree on a caretaker prime minister. “If there is agreement on Dar’s name across the board then he would be appointed the caretaker PM, he added.

Ahsan said that whoever will be the caretaker prime minister, it is necessary that the ruling coalition and the opposition leaders are on the same page, so it is premature to speculate at this time.

“If Ishaq Dar’s name comes in the future then there can be consultations,” he added.  PML-N is holding consultations on interim setup, he admitted.

“Whatever decision is taken, the cabinet will be taken into confidence,” said Iqbal. However, he assured that there will be an agreement on a caretaker prime minister’s appointment in the last week of the government's tenure as the standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) needs to be implemented.

As per the planning minister, a three-year program will have to be made with the IMF in the future and there is a need for a stable government that has a five-year mandate.

“My personal opinion is that we should go through the elections as soon as possible so that a stable government comes and takes the country out of the economic difficulties,” said Iqbal.