ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held consultations with Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the formation of a caretaker setup, with a view to holding general elections most probably in November this year.

Sources said the PM will conduct a final round of consultations after Muharram 10 (Ashura), where all parties in the ruling alliance will be taken on board.

He is then expected to meet with leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, at the beginning of next month. There, both leaders will present three names each for candidates for the position of caretaker prime minister, out of which one name will be finalised.

Last week the PM formed a five-member committee to hold talks with ruling allies on the formation of caretaker set-up required to hold general elections, most probably in November.

PM Shehbaz has already met with Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP, BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal and Jamhoori Watan Party leader Nawab­zada Shahzain Bugti.

If the government is dissolved before August 12 (expiry of the National Assembly), then elections will be held within 90 days, and if the assembly completes its tenure, the ECP is bound to hold polls within 60 days.

PM had earlier announced that the government would hand over the reins to the interim rulers next month before the completion of the assembly’s tenure, which means that caretakers will have three months for holding elections in the country.