ISLAMABAD: In the dinner reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all outgoing ruling parties gave full authority to him to choose a name for the caretaker premier slot.

Prominent attendees were PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, BAP leader Khalid Magsi, Aslam Bhootani, Akhtar Mengal of Balochistan National Party, Mohsin Dawar, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Shahzain Bugti of Jamhoori Watan Party, Chaudhry Salik, and ANP chief Ameer Haider Khan Hoti.

On the occasion, PM Shehbaz admitted that his government had gone through the worst inflation phase due to price hikes on the international market. He also urged all parties to go for seat adjustment in the coming general elections.

Meanwhile, a source in the Prime Minister’s Office said Mr Bhutto-Zardari had conveyed to PM Shehbaz that PPP would accept the premier’s nominee for the caretaker slot.

Earlier, in an interview with Hum TV, Prime Minister Sharif said he was not sure about Sadiq Sanjrani as the caretaker PM candidate but added that anything could happen in the coalition set-up.

Separately, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party leader Jahangir Khan Tarin is also said to be backing Mr Riaz’s candidate, saying that his nominee would be more suitable for the slot of caretaker prime minister.