Kakar affirms caretaker impartiality, vows fair elections

PM trashes talk of ‘favouritism’ as political ploy

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday dispelled the impression that a certain political party was being favoured by the caretakers, saying that the political parties normally tried to attract their voters in different ways and such allegations might be their tactics.

In an interview with a private news channel, Kakar reiterated the government’s resolve to fulfill its duty of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections, stressing that the caretaker setup would remain fully impartial and wholly supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Kakar maintained that it was for the courts to decide about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The caretaker government would be bound to follow court orders concerning the PTI chairman’s participation in elections, he added.

He refuted any notion of his cabinet member, Fawad Hassan Fawad, having affiliations with a certain political party. The caretaker government would hopefully succeed in achieving the privatisation target due to his untiring efforts, he added.

He expressed contentment with the stabilization of the economy, attributing it to the government's measures. The artificial demand for the dollar has markedly decreased, allowing the rupee's value to align with the actual demand and supply of the greenback, the prime minister stated.

Kakar also highlighted the successful staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), underscoring the achievement of the caretaker setup's significant target of 'economic health.'

In the interview, Kakar condemned the atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza. He hailed the latest engagement between China and the United States. However, he stressed that Pakistan could neither remain in isolation nor choose any bloc.

The prime minister made it clear that there was no pressure on the government regarding the repatriation of illegal Afghan immigrants.  However, he emphasised that Pakistan was bound to follow certain rules and regulations regarding Afghan nationals who had been residing in the country illegally.

Meanwhile, Kakar met with a delegation of the Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association on Friday. Talking to the delegation, he assured that the government would fully exploit the export potential of fisheries in Gwadar.

He emphasised the government's prioritisation of modernising fisheries in Gwadar. The ongoing initiative includes comprehensive training for fishermen, aiming to enhance their skills to meet international standards. This training incorporates the utilization of modern machinery and boats equipped with advanced engines and navigation systems.

Calling Gwadar a future hub of sea trade, the prime minister said that the government was taking measures to establish industries at the port, besides building communications infrastructure to link the industrial areas.

Separately, Kakar appreciated the efforts of all government officials for the recovery of Rs46 billion under the anti-power theft drive. "We appreciate the efforts of all those government officials who worked day and night for this national cause," he remarked, in a post on X.