Chairman Senate accepts Kakar's resignation
In this photo taken on January 16, 2016, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, who was named as the next caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, speaks during an interview with AFP in Quetta. © Banaras Khan, AFP file photo
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday accepted the resignation of the newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar after he resigned from his upper house seat.
A notification issued by the Senate Secretariat said “chairman Senate has been pleased to accept the resignation and consequently his seat has become vacant in terms of clause (1) of Article 64 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with effect from 14th August, 2023”.
Read Mengal unhappy with Kakar’s selection
The announcement by Kakar was made a day earlier as he not only relinquished his Senate seat but also resigned from his position within the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
This decision is being interpreted as a deliberate move to underscore the impartiality of his new role.
Taking to his Twitter account, the interim prime minister conveyed his decision: "In light of the profound responsibility entrusted to me as caretaker prime minister, I have chosen to step down from my membership in the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and vacate my Senate position."
Last week, President Dr. Arif Alvi approved Kakar's appointment as the country's caretaker prime minister after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz agreed on his nomination.
The premier and opposition leader finalised Kakar's name during a meeting at the Prime Minister's House earlier that day. They promptly signed and submitted the recommendation to the president for final endorsement, which President Alvi promptly granted under Article 224-1A of the Constitution.
Although Kakar's appointment has been ratified, presidential officials have indicated that he will take the oath of office on August 14, Independence Day (today).