The caretaker prime minister of Pakistan () is the acting head of the Caretaker Government in Pakistan following the dissolution of the National Assembly. The purpose of this post is to ensure free and fair elections are held. The most recent caretaker prime minister was Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, who took office on 14 August 2023, after the National Assembly was dissolved; he served until 4 March 2024.
Federal law and constitution Following the dissolution of the National Assembly, whether it is dissolved by the completion of its term or by an early dissolution, the President shall appoint a Caretaker government. However, this must be done with the consultation of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, who should reach a consensus on whom to choose as Caretaker PM. If this consensus is not reached, the President is free to choose a Caretaker Prime Minister of his choice, although this is usually done in consultation with the Election Commission of Pakistan.
List of caretaker prime ministers of Pakistan
+List of prime ministers of Pakistan No. Portrait Name(Birth–death) Took office Left office Tenure Political party(Alliance) Note(s) 1st Caretaker Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi
(1931–2009) 6 August 1990 6 November 1990 National Peoples Party Jatoi was appointed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan as a caretaker Prime Minister. Led the first caretaker government in Pakistani history. 2nd Caretaker Balakh Sher Mazari
(1928–2022) 18 April 1993 26 May 1993 Pakistan People's Party Appointed by President Khan as a caretaker Prime Minister, Mazari's term ended when the Supreme Court overturned the Presidential order and restored Nawaz Sharif's government. 3rd Caretaker Moeenuddin Ahmad Qureshi
(1930–2016) 18 July 1993 19 October 1993 Independent After Sharif's resignation in July 1993, Qureshi was appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister. 4th Caretaker Malik Meraj Khalid
(1916–2003) 5 November 1996 17 February 1997 Independent Khalid was appointed as a caretaker Prime Minister after the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto's government in November 1996. 5th Caretaker Muhammad Mian Soomro
(1950–) 15 November 2007 25 March 2008 Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Soomro took the office as caretaker Prime Minister in November 2007. 6th Caretaker Mir Hazar Khan Khoso
(1929–2021) 24 March 2013 5 June 2013 2 months and12 days Independent Khoso was appointed by the Election Commission of Pakistan on 24 March, and took the oath of office on 25 March 2013. 7th Caretaker Nasirul Mulk (1950–) 31 May 2018 18 August 2018 Independent Nasirul Mulk was appointed by a consensus between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and opposition leader Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah on 28 May. He took the oath of office on 1 June 2018. 8th Caretaker Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (1971–) 14 August 2023 4 March 2024 Balochistan Awami Party Anwaar ul Haq Kakar was appointed after opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmad Khan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif agreed on his name, and President Arif Alvi signed on the summary.
See also Acting President of Pakistan
References
External links Profile on the website of the government of Pakistan