Imran may take oath as Pakistan-PM on Pakistan's Independence Day
Imran Khan, 65, who is set to become Pakistan's new Prime Minister, may take the oath of the office on the country's Independence Day on August 14, a media report said. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 elections, winning 116 National Assembly seats out of the contested 270 parliamentary constituencies. Here's more.
Khan had earlier wanted to take the oath on August-11
Earlier on July 30, Khan had expressed his desire to take the oath of Prime Minister on August 11, as his party announced that it had acquired enough seats in the lower house through coalition talks to form a majority government.
Caretaker Law Minister says ECP is on board for Aug-14
"It is my and caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Nasirul Mulk's desire that the oath-taking of the new Prime minister should take place on August 14," caretaker Law Minister Ali Zafar said yesterday. Unveiling a tentative schedule of the National Assembly formation, the Minister said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was already on board, the Dawn reported.
Zafar explains the possibility of oath administration on August 14
Zafar said a fresh session of the assembly could be called on August 11 or 12. He said that after printing of ballot papers for the elections of the National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, their elections could take place on August 13 and the next day on August 14, President Manmoon Hussain can administer the oath to the new Prime Minister.
Zafar on what happens if session is held on Aug-12
However, if the National Assembly session was called on August 12, the election of the Prime Minister would be held on August 15, Zafar said. "We wanted that the new Prime Minister should take his oath on Independence Day so that the new government can start its functioning with full national fervor and commitment to bring progress to the country," he said.
Successful candidates of elections to submit election expenses return
Meanwhile, successful candidates of the July 25 general elections will have to submit returns of their election expenses till August 4, the deadline fixed by the ECP for the filing of returns. Three days will be given to independent candidates if they want to join any party. Similarly, three days will be spent on seats reserved for women and minorities.
Constitution says first NA-session should be summoned 21-days after elections
Zafar said as per the Constitution, the first NA session would have to be summoned within 21 days after the general election, adding it was necessary to fulfill this obligation by August 15. After the election, the newly-elected PM would take the oath, the caretaker PM and his cabinet would be over, and power would be transferred to the new government under constitutional provisions.
ECP to issue parties position in the NA session
ECP, after giving time to independent candidates to join a political party or stay independent, would issue parties position in the assembly, Zafar said. After that, the commission would issue a list of winning candidates on the reserved seat for women and minorities.
