Pakistan’s PM Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday announced three names as possible candidates for the post of caretaker prime minister.

Ashraf announced the names of Dr Hafeez Shaikh, a former finance minister, Dr Ishrat Husain, a former governor of the State (central) Bank and a retired judge, Mir Hazar Khan Khoso.

Earlier, opposition leader Nisar Ali Khan of the PML-N party had nominated his party’s three candidates who included two retired judges — Nasir Aslam Zahid and Shakirullah Jan — and a nationalist party leader, Rasul Buksh Paleejo.

Both sides now need to agree on one candidate as per the country’s constitutional requirements.

Both the government and the opposition have not arrived at a consensus candidate so far.

The nominees announced by Ashraf were finalised after consultation with the ruling party’s coalition allies.

The government and opposition parties are expected to enter into dialogue to agree on a candidate who is acceptable to both sides.

If this is not done by the coming week, the choice be made by the Election Commission.