Pakistan Dissolves National Assembly Setting Stage For Fresh Elections

The Pakistani government has announced the dissolution of National Assembly on August 9, three days ahead of the mandated period, following which the elections are to be held within the next 90 days.

During his farewell address at the National Assembly (NA), Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “Tonight, with the permission of the House, I will send the advice for the dissolution of the National Assembly to the president.”

The decision to dissolve the national assembly comes after the arrest of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, late saturday, after his conviction in the Toshkhana case.

The Islamabad Trial Court charged the former Prime Minister for hiding details of the Toskhana gifts, and gave him a maximum sentence of three years in prison, which disqualifies Khan to hold any public office for five years.

Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz presided over the final meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, where he apprised his coalition partners about the appointment of the caretaker government.

He expressed gratitude to all cabinet members for their contributions to the nation's growth during the outgoing government's 16-month tenure.

After the dissolution of National Assembly, according to the constitution of Pakistan, the Prime Minister and leader of opposition has three days to elect an interim Prime Minister within the next three days.

This decision will go to the house for approval, and if they are unable to decide, than the decision will go to the Chief Election Commissioner.

The leader of opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz said, that he hoped that "his meeting with the PM would take place today where these matters would be discussed" talking about the discussions for the selection of the interim Prime Minister.

Riaz also said that the opposition has decided three names for the potential candidates for the interim Prime Minister.

“They do not include any politicians, but an economist has been shortlisted,” Riaz revealed.

Regarding potential election delays, Riaz noted that while polls should ideally be held within three months, complications stemming from the approval of the latest census might push elections back by six months.