Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar sworn in as caretaker PM

His foremost task involves forming an efficient cabinet

ISLAMABAD:

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was on Monday inaugurated as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, taking the oath of office in a solemn ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where President Dr Arif Alvi officiated.

The event witnessed the presence of several notable figures, including outgoing prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan, along with prominent politicians from various parties.

Distinguished military personnel, such as Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, were also in attendance.

Post-swearing-in, Kakar engaged with armed forces officials, exchanging cordial handshakes, before being honored with a guard of honor at the Prime Minister’s House.

Stepping into his new role, the caretaker prime minister promptly initiated interactions with ministry heads to receive comprehensive briefings on crucial matters.

As he assumes this transitional leadership role, Kakar's initial priority lies in assembling a cabinet to manage the nation's affairs in anticipation of upcoming elections.

His designation as the interim prime minister was officially unveiled on Saturday, subsequent to a series of deliberations involving Shehbaz, the former opposition leader Raja Riaz, and an extended period of conjecture surrounding the potential nominee for this pivotal role.

Earlier on the same day, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani accepted Kakar's resignation from the upper house of parliament. A day prior, Kakar had also publicized his resignation from the Senate as well as his 2018-founded political entity, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

A formal notification from the Senate Secretariat duly acknowledged Kakar's resignation, stating that it was accepted by the Senate chairman in consonance with Kakar's principled neutrality upon assuming the caretaker prime minister post.

Consequently, the seat held by Kakar became vacant in accordance with Article 64 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, effective from August 14.