Islamabad, 12 Aug, 2023 (GNP): In a significant development ahead of the national elections, Pakistani Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has been appointed as the caretaker prime minister to oversee the upcoming electoral process. This decision was announced following a constructive meeting between outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmad.
The official statement from the Prime Minister’s office confirmed that both Prime Minister Sharif and the leader of the opposition have jointly endorsed the recommendation, which is set to be submitted for presidential approval.
Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, a lesser-known figure hailing from the province of Balochistan, Pakistan’s least populous province, will lead the interim government until the next election.
According to Riaz, the decision to select a prime minister from a smaller province aims to address the concerns of less populous regions.
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While Senator Kakar is listed as an independent politician by the Senate, local media reports suggest that he is associated with the Balochistan Awami Party, a political group closely linked to Pakistan’s influential military, sources said.
Pakistan’s parliament was dissolved on Wednesday, and according to the law, an election must be held within 90 days. However, the recent release of census results indicates that additional time will be required to redraw constituencies.
The Election Commission is tasked with redrawing boundaries for numerous federal and provincial constituencies, which will then determine the election date.
The upcoming election is expected to proceed without former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was recently convicted of corruption and sentenced to three years in jail. Despite his denial of any wrongdoing, his absence will mark a significant shift in the political landscape.
The interim government assumes responsibility at a time of political uncertainty and ongoing challenges. Pakistan has been grappling with political upheaval since the dismissal of Prime Minister Khan by a no-confidence vote in April 2022. In addition to political complexities, the country faces overlapping economic and security concerns.
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Former Prime Minister Khan’s arrest in May triggered a wave of protests, with demonstrators targeting government and army properties. The legal proceedings involving some protesters have raised controversy due to their trial in military courts.
Meanwhile, media restrictions have been imposed on Khan’s speeches and news conferences, and a number of his party members have resigned under alleged pressure from the military establishment.
Experts suggest that if the caretaker administration extends beyond its constitutional tenure, the prolonged absence of an elected government could potentially allow the military to consolidate its control.