Raja Pervaiz Ashraf government

On 22 June 2012, the Ashraf government was sworn in as the official government and cabinet of Pakistan from 2012 to 2013 after, On 26 April 2012, The previous Gillani government head, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani was convicted of being in contempt of court for refusing to bring charges against President Asif Ali Zardari. On 19 June 2012, Gillani was retroactively ruled ineligible to hold the office by the Supreme Court. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was then selected as the ruling Pakistan People’s Party government’s next option.[1] Ashraf’s selection as Prime Minister restored the country's government after several days of turmoil where officially the country was without a government.[1]

Despite the change in the office of the Prime Minister, the cabinet relatively remained the same from Gillani’s government, including the same ruling party, the Pakistan People’s Party, as well as the same ruling 13th National assembly. Although there were minor adjustments, such as the addition of the PML(Q) to the ruling coalition, which involved including Pervaiz Elahi into the government as a high-level position holder.

The Associated Press said that the Ashraf government’s election was "unlikely to calm the tensions roiling the country" and noted that many observers expected him to eventually be ousted like his predecessor.[1] Political analyst Raza Rumi said Ashraf was likely chosen by the PPP because they knew he would not last long.[1] On 24 July 2012, the government informed the Supreme Court, one day before expiry of the court's deadline, that it had not taken a decision on reopening of the graft cases against President Zardari.[2]