Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has given an exclusive interview, pledging to uphold the principles of free and fair elections in Pakistan. He ensured that there would be no organizational or institutional interference favoring any political party. In accordance with the law and the country’s constitution, the interim government has been given a specific time frame to oversee the electoral process.
PM Kakar emphasized the importance of constituency delimitation, stating that it is a constitutional requirement that should be respected if the supremacy of the constitution is to be upheld. He addressed the incidents that took place on May 9, acknowledging the right of people to express their sentiments within the confines of the law. However, he made it clear that any form of vandalism or violent behavior in the name of protest is not acceptable in a democratic system.
Regarding allegations of United States involvement in the ousting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from power, PM Kakar stated that the former ruling party has withdrawn those accusations. He highlighted the fact that political leaders in some Asian states engage in such actions for populist reasons. He reassured that as a responsible caretaker government, they would ensure that no one interferes with Pakistan’s domestic affairs. The PTI chief’s removal was carried out constitutionally, and there was no military coup involved.
In terms of civil-military relations in Pakistan, PM Kakar acknowledged that political leaders often form alliances with the military for their own political interests. However, once they are no longer in power, they tend to criticize the institution as a means of shifting blame. He recognized the organizational capability of the military and stressed that anyone dealing with governance must rely on it to tackle the challenges faced by the nation.
PM Kakar also addressed the issue of terrorist attacks and relations with Afghanistan. Pakistan has been combating such attacks for the past 15 years through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures. While there have been some challenges in their relationship with Afghanistan, he expressed the hope for continued engagement, as it is in the common interest of both nations. He highlighted the presence of banned organizations, such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban, operating training camps in Afghanistan, which is a cause for concern.
Turning to domestic politics, PM Kakar emphasized that political differences should not escalate into enmity as it can jeopardize democracy. In terms of Pakistan-India relations, he expressed openness to a meaningful dialogue with all neighboring countries. However, he stressed that any peace with India must be based on justice, particularly in relation to the issue of Kashmir, which he believes should be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
In conclusion, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s exclusive interview provided insights into the government’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections. He addressed various concerns, including domestic politics, civil-military relations, terrorism, and relations with Afghanistan and India. His remarks highlighted the importance of upholding the constitution, respecting the rule of law, and working towards regional stability through dialogue and justice.
