Islamabad: Retired Justice Nasirul Mulk took oath as Pakistan's seventh caretaker Prime Minister at a ceremony on Friday, hours after the National Assembly was formally dissolved ahead of the July elections. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to Mulk, who was unanimously nominated for the post by both the government and opposition, with former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi describing the retired judge as a someone whose appointment "no one would object to."
The oath-taking ceremony comes hours after the third National Assembly in a row managed to complete its five-year constitutional term. However, it is only the second National Assembly under civilian rule which completed its tenure, as the one which came into existence in 2002 continued to function under the former President Pervez Musharraf. The three National Assemblies have elected seven prime ministers over the last 16 years.
Justice Mulk is one of the seven judges who signed a restraining order on November 3, 2007, when Musharraf imposed emergency and forcibly sent the judges home.
The caretaker prime minister's responsibility is to ensure that the elections are held in a transparent manner. Before the National Assembly was dissolved, a farewell session was held. Abbasi held meetings with his cabinet ministers and other officials. Addressing the last session of the National Assembly, Abbasi said that all problems existing in the country could only be resolved by a democratic government. He also stressed on the need for ensuring free and fair elections for strengthening democracy in Pakistan.
Following this, a contingent of Pakistan Armed Forces presented a guard of honour to Abbasi on Friday morning. During the five-year tenure of the National Assembly, a total of 56 sessions have been held since June 1, 2013. Also, 12 joint sessions of the Pakistan Parliament were also held, according to Daily Pakistan. A total of six federal budgets were passed in the National Assembly. Further, a total of 189 bills and 136 Acts of Parliament were passed in the last five years.
