The prime minister and opposition leader are keeping their cards close to their chests as no final name has emerged for the slot of interim prime minister despite the fact that the National Assembly was dissolved two days ago on August 9 and the duo must reach a consensus on a name within three days of the dissolution, otherwise the matter will be referred to a parliamentary committee, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Raja Riaz will meet again today to deliberate on the name of a consensus candidate for the slot of caretaker premier.

During Thursday’s consultation of the duo, they shared names for the coveted slot. But they refused to disclose the shared names.

When asked, Opposition Leader Raja Riaz told the media that he and the premier would reach a consensus and finalize the name on Friday.

However, he declined to disclose the names, saying the name would be announced only after it gets finalized. When asked how many names he suggested, the opposition leader responded: “I proposed three names.”

He, however, hinted that no ‘imported person’ would spearhead the interim setup.

If PM Shehbaz and the opposition leader could not evolve a consensus on a name for the interim premier, the matter then will be referred to a parliamentary committee. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will decide the matter if the parliamentary body fails to decide. The ECP will have two days to choose a caretaker prime minister from the list of names shared with the commission.

As there is a hush-hush affair in the selection of the interim PM nominee, certain names are doing rounds on media for the coveted post. The names include Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, former foreign secretary Jilal Abbas Jilani, former finance minister Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Ishaq Dar, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former judge Tasadduq Jilani, former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Makhdoom Mehmood Ahmad, and Pir Pagaro.

Senate Chairman Sanjrani who is reported to be one of the strongest candidates for the slot of interim PM, called on Opposition Leader Raja Riaz at his residence in Islamabad today. They exchanged views on the current political situation and upcoming caretaker setup.

Sources said they broached the subject of the interim premier’s appointment in their discussion.

Sanjrani also met former finance minister Ishaq Dar and ex-planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and discussed the interim setup with them.

According to the Constitution, incumbent Premier Shehbaz Sharif will continue to hold office till the appointment of the new interim prime minister. Article 94 of the Constitution says, “The president may ask the prime minister to continue to hold office until his successor enters upon the office of prime minister.”

On Wednesday night, President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly three days before the completion of its five-year tenure, shortly after a summary signed by PM Shehbaz Sharif, advising the dissolution of the lower house of the parliament, was sent to the Presidency.

Reporters Waqas Azeem and Usman Khan