Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said on Tuesday that the interim government had aimed to complete the process of formation of the new government before August 14. He said that a consultative meeting was held with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan which analysed all legal formalities concerning the new government. The meeting further discussed the consolidation of election results, and to complete the process, candidates would be required to submit election results to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which would follow the final notification of the winning candidates. After ECP issues notification, the number of reserved seats for women and minorities would be finalised by the political parties. He asserted that the session of the National Assembly would be called on August 11 or 12 to elect the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of the House. Zafar said that the government had not received any formal request to hold an oath-taking ceremony of the new Prime Minister at a public place. “However, it could be considered if the government receives one,” he said, adding that the Independence Day would be a pleasant day to conduct the oath-taking ceremony. Published in Daily Times, August 1st 2018.