How the interim set up in Punjab will be selected?

It is likely that PTI and PML-N will not be able to reach on a consensus to choose the interim CM Punjab  and matter will end up in the Election Commission of Pakistan

Before the 18th amendment in the constitution, the president of Pakistan had the discretionary power to appoint an interim set up in the centre and provinces.  Since the 20th Amendment passed in 2012, the president no longer holds discretionary powers to appoint a caretaker prime minister or chief ministers of his choosing.

The amendment instead extends the right to the prime minister and leader of the opposition in the outgoing National Assembly, and the chief ministers and the leaders of the opposition in each outgoing provincial assembly.

The 20th Amendment also introduces Article 224A into the Constitution, which ensures that in case the PM and the Leader of the Opposition are at an impasse about the final choice of a name for the caretaker prime minister or chief minister, the matter would be taken to a parliamentary committee with an equal number of members from both sides, who will then make the final decision regarding the appointment.

The CM Punjab Ch Parvez Elahi has send the summary to dissolve the Punjab assembly to governor Punjab. The process to select the interim set up in Punjab will start within 48 hours. 

According to the article 224 of the constitution, Ch Parvez Elahi will write a letter to opposition leader Hamza Shahbaz in this regard.

Both will propose two names each for the interim CM. If both failed to develop consensus on one name within 3 days then a parliamentary committee will be formed. The committee will consists three members each from both sides.

The parliamentary Committee will have three days to choose one name for interim CM. If committee failed to choose one name with majority opinion then the matter will be forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan. The ECP will choose one name out of the four within 48 hours.

So if both CM and opposition leader failed to choose one name with consensus then it might take one week to select the interim government. 

The main purpose of the care taker set up is to ensure impartial administration and to provide level playing field to all the parties. The caretaker setup is not only governed by the 20th Amendment: the 18th Amendment and the ECP’s Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates  which it issued in 2013 and is expected to issue again this year also ensure the neutrality of the caretaker setup.

In 2010, the 18^th amendment had added sub-article 1B to article 224. Article 224 (1B) bars members of caretaker cabinets, including the caretaker prime minister and the caretaker chief ministers and their spouses and children, from contesting the next elections.

The amendment looks to enhance the impartiality in the process and ensure that the caretaker setup is not likely to interfere in the elections.

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