ISLAMABAD: Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid demanded on Wednesday that the Supreme Court appoint a caretaker government, even if it has to impose judicial martial law for 90 days, to supervise the upcoming general election.

He made the demand during a press conference at the National Press Club, saying that the caretaker prime minister was actually the responsibility of the SC, as the leader of the opposition and the prime minister would not bring forward a suitable individual.

“The chief justice of Pakistan should supervise the general election in consultation with Election Commission of Pakistan to stop election rigging and in this regard, he will impose judicial martial law for 90 days until election day,” Sheikh Rashid told Dawn afterwards.

During the conference, Sheikh Rashid said that the constitution of the interim government was the biggest problem facing the country at present. He claimed that the whole nation was looking towards the SC.

“There is a dire need to appoint a suitable person as caretaker prime minister, as the elections are being organised in a difficult atmosphere. If any controversial person is appointment to the post of interim premiership, stakeholders will lose faith in 2018 general election,” he said.

Sheikh Rashid also made it clear that he would not accept any name for caretaker prime minister in absence of the consultation of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan.

He also claimed that economic problems had been created to make people think that Nawaz Sharif was the person to bring the country out of economic crisis.

Sheikh Rashid also announced that he would contest the elections from two National Assembly constituencies from Rawalpindi, and would continue to expose the PML-N’s corruption.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...