“PM Shehbaz Sharif to Step Down, Setting Stage for General Election in Pakistan”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, revealed his decision to transfer power to a caretaker government on August 14th, marking the beginning of general elections. The announcement comes amidst growing uncertainties surrounding the electoral process. During his address in Islamabad, the Prime Minister assured the public that his government would conclude on August 14th, and the Election Commission of Pakistan would determine the exact date for the elections, be it in October or November.

Shehbaz Sharif, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League, assumed office unopposed as the successor to Imran Khan’s government following a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in April 2022. His term is scheduled to end in mid-August.

According to the country’s constitution, general elections are held 60 days after the completion of the National Assembly’s constitutional tenure. However, if the government decides to dissolve the lower house of parliament shortly before its term ends, the election timeline can be extended up to 90 days after the dissolution. Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement suggests that his government does not intend to dissolve the National Assembly before August 14th.

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The decision to postpone a crucial vote in Punjab until October 8th due to security concerns and an ongoing economic crisis has drawn criticism from Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The court deemed the move unconstitutional, demanding greater transparency and ordering the release of funds to enable the Punjab election to proceed.

There is hope that the upcoming general election will bring an end to the long-standing political crisis that has plagued the country since the removal of Imran Khan and his party, PTI, from government. PTI supporters have staged nationwide protests calling for snap elections. However, it remains uncertain whether Imran Khan will be able to participate in the election due to nearly 200 criminal charges, which he denies and claims are politically motivated.

The persistent political turmoil has exacerbated Pakistan’s economic crisis. After prolonged negotiations, the country secured a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday.