Pakistani Prime Minister Proposes Dissolution of Parliament on August 9

Political sources reported today, Friday, that "Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has proposed to dissolve the parliament on August 9, three days before the council's term ends, paving the way for general elections by November." The elections are set to take place amid speculations of possible delays due to ongoing political and economic turmoil in the nuclear-armed country with a population of 220 million. Two parliament members who attended a dinner hosted by Sharif on Thursday told Reuters that "he confirmed to his allies that he would seek to dissolve parliament on August 9 and would hand over the election process to a caretaker government for organization." One of the members added: "He said he would consult with his allies regarding the formation of a caretaker government to conduct the elections and would propose the dissolution of parliament." The parliamentary term is scheduled to end on August 12. Dissolving parliament three days before the end of its term would grant Sharif and his allies more time to prepare for what is expected to be a fierce electoral battle with the party led by former ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan. The caretaker government has 90 days to hold general elections if power is handed over early by the government, compared to 60 days if power is handed over at the end of the parliamentary term.