What's new

BAP lawmaker Anwaar ul Haq Kakar - Pakistan's former caretaker Prime Minister

MenInG

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
216,736
As consultations between the ruling allies on the issue of caretaker set-up continue, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Sunday revealed that an apolitical person or a technocrat could be made the interim prime minister.

The minister also hinted that the names of former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh and a former Supreme Court judge had been shortlisted, while Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were not in the run.

“Names of former finance minister Hafeez Sheikh and a retired judge of the Supreme Court are among the probables who have been shortlisted,” Mr Sanaullah said on a Geo News programme.

“Now a neutral man will become the caretaker prime minister, who will have no political affiliation,” he added.

Ruling out the possibility of Mr Dar becoming an interim premier, Mr Sanaullah said: “When the name of Ishaq Dar was circulating in the media, it was decided at that time that an apolitical person would be chosen as the caretaker prime minister.”

However, the interior minister said that if any decision was made to allow any political person to be picked for the slot, then the names of Mr Dar, Mr Abbasi and Raza Rabbani could be considered.

Asked whether Hafeez Shaikh was ready to take this responsibility, Mr Sanaullah said: “Definitely, he must be.”

Mr Sanaullah said the name of a retired SC judge was also among the candidates.

It may be mentioned that the name of former chief justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jilani has been circulating in the media among those being considered as caretaker prime minister.

Some other probables circulating in the media include Fawad Hassan Fawad, former principal secretary to the prime minister; Abdullah Hussain Haroon, former permanent representative to the United Nations; Pir of Pagaro VII, Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi; and former Punjab governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood of PPP.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already announced that he would dissolve the National Assembly on Aug 9 (Wednesday), three days before the expiry of the government’s term. The decision has been endorsed by all coalition parties and therefore, according to the Constitution, the next general elections should be held in 90 days.

Mr Sanaullah said the name of the person to take charge as caretaker premier would come to the fore by Tuesday (tomorrow).

A source said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would finalise three names, which would be shared with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz. One of those names then would be chosen by PM Shehbaz with Mr Riaz’s consent.

On the approval of the latest census results on Friday that could potentially delay polls, Mr Sanaullah said it was the demand of all political parties and provinces that coming general elections should be held according to the new census.

Asked whether elections, slated to be held in November, could be delayed as constituencies would now have to be redrawn under the new census, Mr Sanaullah said: “Yes, they will be delayed by 120 days and there will be no harm if the date is extended for a month or two. There is no problem if polls are held in February-March next year.”

Meanwhile, PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari has been staying at his Islamabad residence and keenly observing political developments.

PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi had earlier told Dawn that the party had already given three names to the prime minister for the caretaker slot.

It is expected that Mr Zardari will meet leaders of other allied parties in the ruling coalition on Monday (today) and Tuesday to finalise names for the caretaker prime minister and other members of the interim cabinet.

President to stay

Meanwhile, although the five-year term of President Arif Alvi is set to end next month, he will retain his position until the election of his successor.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told Dawn that according to the Constitution, the president would retain his seat until the new one was elected.

However, in case President Alvi resigns, the Senate chairman would take his place. And if the Senate chairman was also unavailable, the National Assembly speaker would take this slot, the law minister said.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2023
 
With only one day left to go before the dissolution of the incumbent National Assembly, the ruling coalition seems to have evolved a consensus on the name for the caretaker prime minister’s slot, but it is keeping their identity a secret, ostensibly to save the nominee from controversy.

The prime minister and the opposition leader can consult on the matter for three days, even after the dissolution of the assembly. In case a consensus is not reached, then the matter is referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz is also expected to meet National Assembly Opposition Leader Raja Riaz on Tuesday or Wednesday to “finalise” the name for the slot.

Sources claimed that a decision on the caretaker has been “finalised”. However, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, during an appearance on a TV channel, claimed that no name has been finalised so far.

He claimed a politician, who was not associated with any political party, could also become the caretaker PM.

Separately, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said during a TV appearance that the PPP had not shared any names with the premier so far. However, insiders say that the PPP has shared three names for the coveted post with the prime minister.

www.dawn.com

Govt ‘agrees’ on interim premier, name kept under wraps

PM Shebaz meets with MQM, PPP leaders.
www.dawn.com
 
Pakistan’s parliament is due to be dissolved today (Wednesday), three days before the completion of the five-year parliamentary term.

The last session of the joint sitting of the parliament will be held today at 5:30pm. Two point agenda for the joint session has also been issued. The agenda includes conventional recitation of Quran, Naat-e-Rasool and national anthem.

The meeting will also ponder upon the prevalent national issues of Law and Order, Economic policy, Kashmir and foreign policy. Moreover, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and awareness on climate change in order to reach a consensus is also included in the agenda.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Shareef is also expected to make farewell address to the joint session as he announced that he would submit a summary for the dissolution of the National Assembly to the president on Wednesday (today).

arynews.tv

Pakistan parliament to be dissolved today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's parliament is due to be dissolved today (Wednesday), three days before the completion of the five-year parliamentary term. The last
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani has also emerged as a strong candidate for the caretaker Prime Minister’s slot (ARY)
 
Today 2 guys that have about much power as the cleaner will meet to rubber stamp a decision made by GHQ.
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday wrote a letter to Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz, inviting him for a meeting today for consultations on the appointment of the caretaker PM,
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the name of the caretaker premier would be finalised by tomorrow (August 12).

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, the prime minister confirmed this in a conversation with journalists in Islamabad. “Coalition partners will be taken into confidence over the matter before taking a final decision,” it quoted him as saying.

PM Shehbaz also said that the Constitution provided eight days for the appointment of the caretaker premier.
 
Bad blood between President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif resurfaced on Friday when the former wrote to the premier, asking him to appoint a caretaker prime minister by Saturday (today).

PM Shehbaz, clearly displeased by the letter, questioned why the president was in a hurry and insinuated that he might not have read the Constitution.

The delay in nominating a caretaker prime minister was apparently because Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz, generally believed to be a “friendly opposition leader”, came out to be a different man, as he had been insisting on his candidate instead of agreeing to the names suggested by the PML-N, sources privy to the current political situation told Dawn.
 
After days of deliberation over the name of caretaker prime minister ahead of the general election in the country, Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar — a lawmaker associated with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) — has been finalised to assume the coveted post.

The development came following a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz as part of the final round of consultations in Islamabad.

According to a statement released by the PM Office, the final consultation process between PM Shehbaz and Raja Riaz “successfully completed”.

“There was agreement over the name of Anwaar Ul Haq,” the statement read.

The premier and the opposition leader, as per the PM Office, have jointly signed and sent the advice to the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi.

The president has approved the summary under Article 224A.Speaking to the media after the meeting, Riaz said: "We decided that the interim prime minister would be from a smaller province".

He said that Kakar's name was suggested by him which was approved.

A day earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi wrote a letter to the premier, reminding him and the opposition leader to suggest a “suitable person” for the interim premier by August 12 (Saturday).

In a letter to both PM Shehbaz and Riaz, the president informed them that under Article 224A they are supposed to propose a name for interim prime minister within three days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.

“As provided in Article 224 (1A) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly may propose a suitable person for the appointment of care-taker Prime Minister not later than 12th August,” said President Alvi in the letter.

Who is Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar?

Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar, who has been named the new caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, is a political figure from Balochistan.

Kakar was elected to the Senate in 2018 and has been a very active politician from Balochistan. He has also served as the spokesperson of the provincial government prior to his election to the upper house.

“Though he has been involved in politics, Kakar is widely regarded as a great intellectual in the country,” senior anchorperson Hamid Mir told Geo News.

Mir said that the BAP lawmaker is from the Kakar tribe of Pashtun ethnicity, so he represents both Pashtuns and Balochs.

“The senator also enjoys good ties with the mainstream political parties including PML-N and PPP.”

In 2008, Kakar contested the National Assembly election from Quetta on the ticket of Q-League.

He obtained a Master's degree in Political Science, Sociology from the University of Balochistan.
 
So BAP are part of the coalition that destroyed PK and the caretaker PM is supposedly neutral, without affiliation to any party. These losers have destroyed PK with their mafia tactics. Why didn't Munir name himself.
 
On the face of it this is not that bad a selection for a caretaker PM. Anwar ul Haq belongs to BAP and have largely not got any significant controversies or scandals to his name. Let's see how the time as caretaker PM evolves. Let's hope for constitution and law not to be side tracked now like it has been in the past 16 months.
 
Extra_Cover said:
On the face of it this is not that bad a selection for a caretaker PM. Anwar ul Haq belongs to BAP and have largely not got any significant controversies or scandals to his name. Let's see how the time as caretaker PM evolves. Let's hope for constitution and law not to be side tracked now like it has been in the past 16 months.
Click to expand...
The constitution is no more.
 
The joke was that when SS and Raja Lota met, they each asked each other about whether the knew who the caretaker PM was.
 
A bit more on this guy from a Western POV

==

A little-known senator from Pakistan’s least populous province has been announced as caretaker prime minister to see the country through to the next election, the leader of the opposition said.

The Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and opposition leader, Raja Riaz, agreed on Saturday to name senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar as caretaker premier.

Kakar, who is from the south-western province of Balochistan, will name a cabinet and head a government to steer the country through an economic and political crisis until a new government is elected.

“The prime minister [Sharif] and leader of opposition have jointly signed the advice which will be sent to the president for approval,” a statement said.

Pakistan’s Geo News said the president, Arif Alvi, had approved Kakar’s appointment.

Kakar has served as spokesperson for the Balochistan government and is known for his close relationship with the military establishment.

Nusrat Javeed, a political analyst, said the nomination of Kakar for caretaker prime minister had come from the most powerful institution.

Former information minister of Pakistan Fawad Chaudhry, a colleague of Kakar, said Pakistan was gripped with a surge of terrorism and Kakar was someone who understood the dynamic of terrorism.

Chaudhry said: “Kakar’s nomination as caretaker prime minister certainly is something that would not bring joy for the camps of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan People’s party.

“Kakar is someone with a keen eye on international politics. He has very strong connections with right quarters.”

Under Pakistan’s constitution, a neutral caretaker government oversees national elections, which must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the parliament’s lower house – which in this instance means early November.

The choice of caretaker prime minister has assumed heightened importance this time because the candidate will have extra powers to make policy decisions on economic matters, and amid fears the elections may be delayed by as much as six months.

The election commission has to draw new boundaries for hundreds of federal and provincial constituencies and, based on that, it will give an election date.

Pakistan’s parliament was dissolved on Wednesday and by law an election should be held within 90 days, but the results of the latest census released last week means more time will probably be needed to redraw constituencies.

The former prime minister Imran Khan, was convicted of graft last weekend and sentenced to three years in prison.

The interim government takes over a country that has been in political turmoil since Khan was dismissed by a no-confidence vote in April last year, and is also facing overlapping economic and security issues.
 
Everyone knows that Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar belongs to BAP and who controls BAP. Let's see the elections happen on time and fairly.
 
ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Khursheed Shah’s statement about the caretaker prime minister has ‘fumed’ Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources.

Shah in his statement had said that they were unaware that Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar would be appointed as caretaker Prime Minister. PPP had finalized five names which included Saleem Abbas, Jalil Abbas, Muhammad Malik and Afzal Khan from KP, he added.

Shah had further said that it would have been better if someone else was appointed as caretaker PM.

The senior leadership of the party has sought an ‘explanation’ from Khursheed Shah over his statement regarding Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
 
Even who will be Caretaker Prime Minister didn't know about it until a day before SS and Raja Riaz ;)
 
Yesterday, after weeks of deliberations, Kakar was named the caretaker prime minister after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz reached a consensus over his “surprise” nomination.

The initial positive reactions over his surprise nomination demonstrated how Kakar was acceptable to all political parties, especially those part of the ruling coalition headed by outgoing PM Shehbaz Sharif. In addition, the BAP is thought to have the backing of the country’s establishment.

A member of the outgoing ruling coalition told on the condition of anonymity that Kakar was a “surprise” for many in the alliance; in fact, “even those who signed the summary of Kakar’s nomination too were unaware about Kakar’s name.”

“Mr Kakar’s name came from somewhere else and it had to be accepted by all stakeholders,” the politician said while responding to a question about the Sharifs’ failure to get their own man in the caretaker’s saddle.

A similar comment was made by PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah, who said no one was aware that Kakar would become the interim PM.

In the letter written today, Mengal lamented the actions of politicians to approach the establishment for every problem’s solution instead of resolving them politically.

He cited a letter written to Sharif last month on July 22, hoping the issues would reduce by now but instead, they increased.

He lamented that through the “establishment’s consultation” rather than resolving them through political means.

“Mian Sahib, what has befallen us might be our fate, but what’s surprising is that you people, after facing hardships, haven’t learned any lessons. We remember the atrocities from General Ayub to General Musharraf. But your party forgets the conspiracies and unconstitutional actions of Musharraf and Bajwa too quickly. Once again, you’re weakening democratic institutions by legislating in the dark without involving allies, thereby strengthening undemocratic powers.”

The former Balochistan chief minister said: “Legislation contrary to human rights will probably be used against you in the future, [we know] because we, the residents of Balochistan, have not been considered as human beings since day one.”

He said taking decisions without the confidence of allies will only perpetuate the mistrust between larger and small provinces.

“Laws are made and broken to protect their interests and pave the way for their future government, but on the contrary, it is against the law for the people of Balochistan to cry for their loved ones.

“All this happened in the last two periods of government and we thought this time maybe after those bitter experiences your party would have realized now but it has failed us again like before.”

Mengal expressed that he wished the true history of the past 76 years was available in the textbooks of Pakistan studies so “maybe we would have learned from history but now we and you are answerable to history and will remain to do so”.

Towards the end of the letter, the Baloch tribal elder made it clear that Kakar’s nomination as the interim prime minister not only put an end to his politics but Sharif’s decisions also “created more distance between the two”.

Kakar, who hails from Balochistan, will become the eighth caretaker prime minister. President Arif Alvi had signed a summary sent to him by the outgoing prime minister regarding his appointment after the second round of talks with Raja Riaz.

The BNP-M, which was previously allied with the then-ruling PTI in the Centre in 2018, joined hands with the PDM to eventually bring down Imran Khan’s government. Mengal’s party has since been vocal about its uneasiness with the outgoing PML-N-led coalition’s policies, hinting on several occasions at parting ways with it.
 
There will be no fair and clean elections as long IK is going to win. All these criminals have taken revenge on people and the people will take revenge.
 
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in as the caretaker prime minister of the country on Monday.

Meanwhile, Kakar's resignation as a senator was accepted by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani after he was named the ninth caretaker prime minister of the country.

Independent Senator Kakar has been a very active politician since being elected to the Senate in 2018. In order to fulfil his obligations as the leader of the interim setup, he resigns in an effort to maintain his impartiality.

An announcement from the Senate Secretariat stated, "Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Member Senate of Pakistan, has resigned his seat, as per his Principled stance of neutrality, on becoming the caretaker Prime Minister, by writing under his hand in person before the Chairman Senate."

Kakar Quits Senate, Party Post Ahead Of Oath Taking
According to clause (1) of Article 64 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, his position has become vacant as of August 14 as a result of his resignation, which the Honourable Chairman Senate accepted with pleasure.

The development comes a day after Kakar surrendered his membership in the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and resigned as a senator.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Kakar said: "Owing to the fundamental responsibility conferred upon me as the caretaker Prime Minister, I have decided to surrender my membership in the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and relinquish my Senate position."

The caretaker premier-designate also requested that the people pray for him so that he can comply with their expectations by fulfilling his fundamental responsibility in the best manner.
 
funny watching the pti fans cry about this. Once upon a time PTI was the armys puppet and there fans used to say you can go cry about it.

Now look at the them... ohh loving it
 
Major said:
funny watching the pti fans cry about this. Once upon a time PTI was the armys puppet and there fans used to say you can go cry about it.

Now look at the them... ohh loving it
Click to expand...
So you believe in the 'Hybrid Regime is the best revenge' concept?
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
So you believe in the 'Hybrid Regime is the best revenge' concept?
Click to expand...
They have no choice. They conspired against IK and played a full part in the regime change. Billo was Bajwas favourite but old Whisky seems to have gone cold and unless Haqqani can a pull a Washington rabbit out of the hat, Billo has about as much chance as I do with less than 1% support.
 
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Former Pakistani Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in on Monday as the country’s prime minister to head a caretaker government that will oversee parliamentary elections during one of the country’s worst economic crises.

Kakar, who is comparatively new to politics and is close to the powerful military, has represented his Baluchistan province in the Senate since 2018. President Arif Alvi administered the oath of office to him inside a white marble palace known as the Presidency in a brief ceremony.

Kakar quit as the head of his small Baluchistan Awami Party on Sunday and resigned as a senator after being named by outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz to oversee the vote and run the administration’s day-to-day affairs until the people elect a new government. It is normal practice in Pakistan to appoint a caretaker government for the election period.
 
The country is set to witness its most empowered interim setup ever with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar taking the reins as the eighth interim premier as the country prepares to navigate through a transitional period amid economic and political crises.

Kakar’s appointment comes under highly favourable circumstances, granting him unprecedented authority in the position.

Traditionally, the primary responsibility of the caretaker government has been to manage the day-to-day affairs of the country until the newly elected government assumes power. However, the interim government was empowered to take the role of economic stewardship after a joint parliamentary session on July 26 this year amended Section 230 of the Election Act, 2017.

The amendment now allows the caretaker government to exercise unusual powers pertaining to ongoing projects, and programmes, and even make crucial policy decisions, in addition to handling the regular affairs of the state.

As the country heads towards an interim government, it may not be a usual transitional government due to unprecedented political and economic challenges.

Above all, the interim government will also have to ensure compliance with the ongoing IMF programme. It is imperative, however, to take care of the commitments and assurances that the Government of Pakistan has given to the IMF during the last review.
 
Major said:
funny watching the pti fans cry about this. Once upon a time PTI was the armys puppet and there fans used to say you can go cry about it.

Now look at the them... ohh loving it
Click to expand...

Dont care anymore. I want Pakistan to go bankrupt and broke like a poor African nation, so the supporters of crooks cry when they cant buy a meal. Exactly what they deserve.

This puppet will only help move this along.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Dont care anymore. I want Pakistan to go bankrupt and broke like a poor African nation, so the supporters of crooks cry when they cant buy a meal. Exactly what they deserve.

This puppet will only help move this along.
Click to expand...
Yes i know, There is no difference between you and an Indian.
 

Jilani ‘favours’ peace with India​

Pakistan’s top diplomat is in favour of revival of a decade’s old peace plan in an effort to lay out a framework for ending hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Jalil Abbas Jilani on Friday returned to the Foreign Office but this time as caretaker foreign minister. Jilani served as foreign secretary of Pakistan and Pakistan’s ambassador to important capitals, including the US and the EU.

The plan he was talking about was made during the hay days of former military rulers Gen Pervez Musharraf and India’s former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

It envisaged an ambitious attempt for peace in Kashmir, which has been divided between the two countries since Independence.

Also, Jilani was the deputy high commissioner in New Delhi in 2003, when the Indian government declared him persona non grata after accusing him of funneling funds for separatist activities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Being the interim foreign policy chief, he may not have enough time and limited mandate to change the course of Pakistan’s foreign policy but he may lay ground for the future government, particularly on how to proceed with India.

Sources close to Jilani told The Express Tribune that he is in favour of improving relations with India.

The foreign minister told The Express Tribune on Thursday that improvement in relations with India was contingent upon the resolution of all outstanding issues, including the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

But his public position aside, the sources said, Jilani was of the view that Pakistan should explore different options paving the way for resurrecting the peace process during Musharraf-Manmohan time.

The foreign minister believes that dialogue between the two countries between 2004 and 2007 could be revived provided both the sides showed the political will and resolve.

That peace process was considered the most sustained efforts by the two countries to resolve their festering disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir.

In fact, extensive backchannel talks at the time between the two countries led to the potential road map for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The then foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri was on record as saying that both the sides even shared non-papers on the Kashmir resolution.

The two countries were believed to be close to signing the Siachen and Sir Creek agreements.

It was said the agreements were to be signed during the long pending visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan in early 2007.

However, Gen Musharraf’s sudden move to remove Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry sparked a lawyers’ movement that eventually led to the ouster of the military ruler.

The sources said Jilani was in the Foreign Office and knew the ground work done by both the sides during that period. Hence, he was convinced that the best way forward for the two sides was to revive that process.

However, the chances of revival of the process appear slim in the foreseeable future because both the countries are heading towards elections.

Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the caretaker government, having the strong backing of the establishment, may lay some groundwork for the future engagement with India.

Observers are skeptical if India would reciprocate given India’s hardline stance on Kashmir and changes it brought to the disputed region in August 2019.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link:
tribune.com.pk

Jilani ‘favours’ peace with India | The Express Tribune

Seeks revival of Musharraf-Manmohan peace plan
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Khadim Rind to become new Police Chief of Karachi

KARACHI: A reshuffle of top police officials in Sindh has been on the card as a list of Grade-21 police officers has been prepared for transfers.

It has been decided to appoint Additional IGP Khadim Rind as the new police chief of Karachi. Incumbent police chief of the city, Javed Alam Odho will be transferred to the IG Police Jails post. Javed Alam Odho had took charge as the city police chief in June last year.

Additional IGP Imran Yaqoob Minhas will be posted as Chairman Anti-Corruption Department, while AIG Munir Shaikh will be transferred to the Motorway Police.

The federal government on Saturday approved appointment of Dr Riffat Mukhtar as the new Sindh inspector general on Saturday, replacing Ghulam Nabi Memon as the provincial police chief.

According to a notification issued by Establishment Division, Riffat Mukhtar – a BS-21 officer serving under government of Punjab – was transferred and posted as provincial police officer, government of Sindh, with immediate effect”.
 
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday vowed to continue the fight against terrorism “no matter what”, asserting that surrender was not an option.

“Pakistan will not surrender in front of radicalism, extremism [and] intolerance … this is our home and we will run the country on our terms,” he maintained.

The interim premier’s statement comes a day after six soldiers embraced martyrdom during a gun battle with terrorists in the general area of Asman Manza of South Waziristan district.

The military’s media wing said in a press release yesterday that the troops effectively engaged with the terrorists, killing four of them, while two others were injured.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi today, PM Kakar said: “Those who have misconceptions that such attacks will tire us should know that we will never forget our martyrs or their sacrifices and won’t refrain from such sacrifices in future.

“We will, in fact, pursue them.”
 
As nationwide protests erupted and hashtags against massive electricity bills started trending on social media, interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar finally called an “emergency meeting” regarding electricity rates on August 27 (Sunday).

The caretaker premier called the meeting in Islamabad on electricity rates and consumers’ bills with directions to the energy ministry and the electricity distribution companies to give a detailed briefing in this regard.
 
In the era of the PDM coalition government, after an approximately 100% increase in electricity prices, the caretaker government also raised the per unit price further.

The astonishing thing is that the burden has been placed on the common people to fulfill the IMF's conditions, but the privileges of the elite class have not been abolished.
 
Last edited:
Outcry over power bills: PM Kakar seeks relief plan within 48 hours

As countrywide protests over inflated power bills entered the third day on Sunday, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar convened a high-level huddle to mull relief measures, where he directed the finance and energy ministries to formulate a plan within the next 48 hours.

During the meeting, which the interim information minister called the first session, the Power Division provided a briefing on the increase in power bills in the month of July.

PM Kakar had called an urgent meeting to discuss the matter with relevant authorities after protests erupted across the country over inflated electricity bills, which political parties fear could turn into riots if no relief was provided.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers of the interim cabinet, including Dr Shamsad Akhtar, Dr Gohar Ijaz, Murtaza Solangi, adviser to PM Dr Waqar Masood, Power secretary, chairman WAPDA, chairman NEPRA, and other relevant high officials.

“The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance have been assigned the responsibility to collaborate and formulate an action plan to provide relief to the public in their electricity bills,” Kakar wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after the huddle.


Brecorder
 
COAS Munir assures caretaker govt of army’s support for country’s economic revival

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir assured the interim government of the army’s “all-out support” for continuity of policies in a bid to revive the economy and steer the country towards progress and prosperity.

The development came in the fourth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), but the first since the the caretaker government took over.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar presided over the meeting attended by the army chief, federal cabinet, chief ministers, provincial ministers and high-level government officials.

The meeting was given a thorough review of the SIFC’s initiatives, encompassing progress in key areas and benchmarks achieved thus far in a short span of time.

PM Kakar appreciated the SIFC’s efficient functioning through a collaborative “whole-of-government” approach for achieving horizontal and vertical synergy.

Dawn
 
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday said that the government was working on options to tackle inflated power bills without deviating from its agreements with multilateral institutions.

“We have conditionalities and agreements with multi-financial institutions which we have to fulfil at any cost,” he asserted, but at the same time added that negotiations with lenders on relief measures were under way.

The premier’s remarks come as Pakistan faces a host of economic challenges including rising inflation, depreciating rupee and declining market confidence. In recent days, people from across the country have taken to the streets against excessive power bills.


Dawn
 
The country is sinking into an abyss as Munir and the Generals enjoy their luxury. Sooner or later those IPP deals that BB,Mush and NS made and gave Dollar sovereign guarantees will cause an explosion. They should be thanking their lucky stars that IK fixed the guarantees at 148 and stopped the open ended agreement which the mafia made. Just imagine those guarantees at 330, which is the Dollar rate today.
 
The worrying aspect is where the dollar will stabilize against Pakistan there's currently no clear indication. The situation could potentially deteriorate further.
 
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Saturday said that some sections of media misreported the recent interaction of interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar with journalists, clarifying that the latter did not dismiss the matter of inflated electricity bill as a non-issue.

The information minister was referring to the premier’s interaction with the journalists a few days ago amid nationwide protests over skyrocketing electricity bills and record-breaking inflation.

Solangi, in a statement today, clarified that when the prime minister was asked during the interaction whether the electricity bills had caused chaos or anarchy in the country, he ruled out the anarchy, but did not dismiss the matter as non-issue.

“The prime minister had not stated that the issue of electricity bills was not worrisome for the people, rather he explained what the reasons behind the expensive electricity were,” he added.

Solangi said that the prime minister reaffirmed in the media interaction that the solution would soon be worked out. He said that those who were responsible for the current situation had also been using the issue for political point-scoring in the wake of the upcoming election.


Tribune
 
Deciding poll date is ECP’s prerogative: PM Kakar

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that as per the law, deciding the date for general elections was the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) prerogative.

This was after the ECP expressed its inability to hold elections within the constitutionally mandated period following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census, citing the need for fresh delimitation of constituencies under Section 17(2) of the Elections Act.


Dawn
 
Decision to handcuff Nawaz upon return rests with law enforcers: PM Kakar

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Wednesday that the decision to handcuff PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif upon his return to the country lied within the purview of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), who would make the decision according to the applicable legal provisions.

A day ago in London, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had announced that his brother would return to the country on October 21. Nawaz was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. The cases are still sub-judice.


Dawn
 
Banana Republic of Pakistan - where words have lost meaning, law exist for the poor and patriot's, police is used as protective barking dogs for the rich and elite, poor will always remain poor, middle class is forced to live like poor class, and DHA walla will get rich to get treatment in London.

Text book example of a Banana Republic - Banana Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
 
MenInG said:
As nationwide protests erupted and hashtags against massive electricity bills started trending on social media, interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar finally called an “emergency meeting” regarding electricity rates on August 27 (Sunday).

The caretaker premier called the meeting in Islamabad on electricity rates and consumers’ bills with directions to the energy ministry and the electricity distribution companies to give a detailed briefing in this regard.
Click to expand...
I am sorry but, Banana Republic of Pakistan is not capable of holding protest in any capacity, a meek society that has no sense of their fundamental rights.
 
PM meets Iranian president on UNGA sidelines

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting with the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Underscoring the close fraternal relations between the two neighbouring countries, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to further strengthen and deepen these ties, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation in the economic domain.

PM Kakar stressed that steps including the recent inauguration of the Mand-Border border marketplace, would not only contribute to the economic uplift of the border areas but also serve as a tangible manifestation of the collective commitment to work for the betterment of the two peoples.


tribune.com.pk

PM meets Iranian president on UNGA sidelines | The Express Tribune

Reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to ties with Iran
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
NEW YORK: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has urged United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to fulfill commitments made with Pakistan to address climate change issues and its losses.

Developed nations made commitments with Pakistan for support after last year’s floods.

The meeting between Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

PM Kakar thanked the Secretary-General for his unwavering support during last year’s floods and for co-hosting the Geneva Conference on Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework.

He also apprised him of the newly established Special Investment Facilitation Council, which has the objective of promoting investments into Pakistan for robust economic recovery of country.

The premier appreciated the Secretary-General’s call for global financial transformation to invigorate the Sustainable Development Goals and proposed measures for augmenting the SDG Agenda.

Calling for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Anwaarul Haq Kakar recalled India’s illegal and unilateral actions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.

The prime minister further briefed him regarding India’s ongoing human rights violations in IIOJ&K.

ARY
 
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar was on Friday censured — mostly by PTI activists — for using “shockingly poor language” while describing China’s strong ties to Pakistan by apparently referring to the US support enjoyed by Israel.

The social media criticism comes a day after the premier made the said comparison when speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations on his visit to the US to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

In the interview (at 55:30), PM Kakar said, “Pakistan enjoys a strategic relationship with China. We are very clear that there are people who would qualify Pakistan as China’s Israel.

“It is probably a more good analogy for [the] American audience because you do understand and appreciate the value of Israel for the United States.”

He made the remarks in response to one of the questions from the attendees of the talk — “What the relationship is now between Pakistan and China?”

He then went on to highlight how both neighbours “have a lot in common in terms of the emergent crises within the region” and “commonalities on certain issues”, citing the One-China policy and China’s stance on Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang issues.

DAWN NEWS
 
He should not have gone to the UN General Assembly. The Foreign Minister should have been sent there and even if he is there so its better if he didn't give any interview
 
Addressing a news conference at the Pakistan Mission in New York. PM Kakar said the state of Pakistan effectively responded to the Jaranwala riots but a similar incident like the Manipur violence saw the Indian state act as a spectator and accomplice in the violence that killed hundreds of people.

PM Kakar also termed his discussion with the IMF managing director very constructive, adding that he hoped that the upcoming mandated government would carry on the economic plan.The premier said the newly elected government would further negotiate with the IMF according to their manifesto.

On the matter of the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Kakar said Pakistan wanted constructive engagement with Russia and both countries had immense potential for enhanced economic cooperation.However, he highlighted that Pakistan did not favour a military solution to any conflict and instead advocated dialogue for settlement.

Source Dawn
 
PM Kakar’s UN trip ends without big meetings
UNITED NATIONS: After the culmination of his five-day visit to the UN headquarters in New York, interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq headed to London on Saturday, amid speculations that he might have a ‘secret rendezvous’ with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the British capital.

At a news conference on Friday evening in New York, Mr Kakar indicated that he was returning home to work with the Election Commission and let the new government take charge of long-term relations, such as negotiating new terms with the IMF.

He did not respond when asked about a possible meeting with Nawaz Sharif. In response to a question about Mr Sharif’s return to Pakistan in October, he said the former premier would be “treated under the laws of Pakistan”.

The interim PM also did not respond to a question if he would visit Saudi Arabia on his way back to Islamabad.

Official sources said PM Kakar stopped over in Paris on his way to New York and visited the Eiffel Tower with his family. He also spent some quiet time with his family and friends in New York and was seen dining at a Turkish restaurant on Thursday night.

He did have a busy official schedule though, meeting global leaders. The list included Turkish President Recep Erdogan as well, but the meeting did not take place for some reason. He also did not have a separate meeting with the official US delegation.

According to the interim premier, he met business bodies in the US that showed interest in the economic revival plans of Pakistan through privatisation and the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

www.dawn.com

PM Kakar’s UN trip ends without big meetings

Interim PM fails to meet Erdogan, official US delegation, flies to London amid rumours of meeting with Nawaz.
www.dawn.com
 
PM Anwar Ul Haq Kakar urges British fashion firm to open buying house in Pakistan.

Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)
 
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed authorities concerned to expedite the privatization process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other loss-making state-owned enterprises.

The prime minister issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad.

The meeting was informed about the financial position of PIA and progress of the privatization process. It was also informed that all obstacles in the privatization of PIA had been removed.

In the meeting, the prime minister also stressed transparency in the whole privatization process.

The process of privatization of the national airline should be made transparent and fast-tracked so that the national exchequer is protected from further losses, he added.

It is no longer possible to meet the deficit of these institutions from public taxes, the PM continued.

The premier noted that the aviation sector’s reforms would help provide better travelling facilities to the people.

In an effort to bring transparency, the financial affairs of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are likely to be handed over to the Privatisation Commission, it emerged earlier.

Sources told ARY News that the PIA’s financial affairs will be handed over to Privatisation Commission as the latter would take measures to reduce its losses.

Sources further claimed that the commission will link the national carrier’s financial affairs with latest system. By improving PIA’s financial affairs, the commission will improve its balance sheet – which will help in carrier’s privatisation.

Meanwhile, sources added that the administrative control of the institution will continue to be with the PIA’s management. Moreover, the administrative affairs will remain under the Ministry of Aviation.

Sources also claimed that that the matters of PIA’s regulation will remain with civil aviation. The Privatisation Commission wants to make institution’s accounts transparent by December 31.

Source: ARY
 
Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday ruled out any talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reaffirming his commitment to wipe out all the anti-state elements from the country, ARY News reported.

Talking to journalists in Peshawar, the caretaker prime minister said that state of Pakistan was powerful enough to fight Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)even for next 100 years.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali accompanied the prime minister.

Asked what were the impediments in talks with TTP, the prime minister said the biggest obstacle was that no one was willing to talk to them. “We don’t have any intention to talk with TTP,” he said, adding that writ of the state will be established at all costs.
 
On the social media website X, the caretaker prime minister wrote that he is leaving to attend the third Belt and Road Forum at the official invitation of the Chinese president.

Source: Dawn
 
The Pakistani government is looking to tame inflation with fuel price cuts and a price-control mechanism, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said on Monday

Source: Arab News
 
PM Kakar directs authorities to activate ‘strict price control mechanism’

In line with a big drop in fuel prices in the last review, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday said he had directed the concerned authorities to ensure that prices of essential commodities and services were reduced correspondingly.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the interim prime minister said he directed the authorities to activate a “strict price control mechanism”.

“I urge all honorable chief ministers to ensure that prices of essential commodities and services are reduced correspondingly.

“All efforts should be directed towards transferring the benefit of reduction in petroleum prices to the people of Pakistan. Strict implementation be ensured,” Kakar wrote.


www.brecorder.com

PM Kakar directs authorities to activate ‘strict price control mechanism’

Interim prime minister urges chief ministers to ensure prices of essential commodities and services reduced correspondingly, after significant cut in fuel prices
www.brecorder.com
 
Rupees value down to 276 rupees per US Dollar now. I feel like Kakar is atleast trying. The situation is still bleak though.
 
PM Kakar to attend ECO summit in Tashkent

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will depart for Tashkent, Uzbekistan tomorrow (Wednesday) to attend the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Tuesday.

The FO said that the two-day summit is being held from November 8-9. Kakar “will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to ECO vision 2025 and to the promotion of regional cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity,” the FO said.

The statement added that the interim premier will also “present Pakistan’s vision for the future work of the organisation and for the promotion of regional connectivity and mutual prosperity”.

“He will also engage in bilateral discussions with the leadership of Uzbekistan and other participating leaders,” the FO said.

The statement highlighted that Pakistan, as a founding member of the ECO, remained committed to the goals of connectivity and mutual prosperity of the ECO region.

Earlier this year in January, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had attended the 26th ECO Council of Ministers meeting in Tashkent.

Source: DAWN
 
President of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev met during the visit of caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar to Uzbekistan.

In the meeting, bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed, and it was agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields including political, trade, economic, security, defense and communications.

Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar said that the Economic Cooperation Organization trade agreement will promote bilateral trade and transit trade, both leaders reiterated their determination to finalize the regional economic integration and strategic partnership agreement as soon as possible.

On this occasion, the commitment to the early completion of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project was also reiterated.

Source: Dunya News
 
For some unknown reason, the Pakistani political class are convinced that appearing at any event abroad and announcing this attendance all over the media along with images somehow impresses the population. It's a sure fire way to escape the challenges at hand and enjoy the pomp and privileges of being hosted as a dignitary!
 
Kakar, Aliyev discuss Gaza, Kashmir

TASHKENT: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday held a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev wherein they discussed the bilateral cooperation and regional issues including humanitarian situation in Gaza and Indian atrocities in IIOJK.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of 16th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization being held in here.

The two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral relations especially in the domains of trade, defence and energy.

Prime Minister Kakar welcomed the announcement of direct flight operations of Azerbaijan Airline (AZAL) to Pakistan terming it a positive development in people to-people exchanges and to advance two-way business and tourism.

Prime Minister Kakar and President Aliyev discussed common challenges including Islamophobia and climate change and the critical role of ECO to promote regional cooperation and collective prosperity.

The global and regional developments including the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and persistent Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) were also discussed.

Prime Minister Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, especially with respect to Karabagh.

Later, the prime minister referring to his “constructive” interaction wrote on social media platform X that Pakisan-Azerbaijan trade, defence, and energy ties were growing.

He viewed that the launch of direct AZAL flights would bolster bilateral connectivity.

“Together, we address global issues like Islamophobia and climate change,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, the prime minister arrived in Islamabad after completing his two-day official visit to Uzbekistan.

tribune.com.pk

Kakar, Aliyev discuss Gaza, Kashmir | The Express Tribune

Meeting took place on the sidelines of 16th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization
tribune.com.pk tribune.com.pk
 
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday left for Riyadh on a three-day official visit, ARY News reported.

During the visit, the prime minister will represent Pakistan at the emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the situation in Gaza, being held in Saudi Arabia.

He will also hold sideline meetings with the visiting heads of state and government from other countries. Saudi Arabia has convened the extraordinary summit of the OIC to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza.

Israel on Friday launched air strikes on or near at least three hospitals, further endangering a health system swamped with thousands of casualties and people displaced by Israel’s war against Hamas in the Palestinian enclave.

“The Israeli occupation launched simultaneous strikes on a number of hospitals during the past hours,” Gaza Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra told Al Jazeera television.

Qidra said Israel targeted the courtyard of Al Shifa, the biggest hospital in Gaza City, and there were casualties, but he did not provide details. Israel said Hamas has hidden command centres and tunnels beneath Al Shifa, allegations Hamas denies.

Gaza’s health ministry has said 18 of Gaza’s 35 hospitals and 40 other health centres were out of service either due to damage from bombardment or lack of fuel.

Palestinian media published video footage on Friday of Al Shifa, which Reuters was unable to authenticate immediately, that it said showed the aftermath of an Israeli attack on a parking lot where displaced Palestinians were sheltered and journalists were observing.

A pool of blood could be seen next to the body of a man being placed on a stretcher.

“With ongoing strikes and fighting nearby (Al Shifa), we are gravely concerned about the well-being of thousands of civilians there, many children among them, seeking medical care and shelter,” Human Rights Watch said on social media site X.

Qidra said Al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital and Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital “have been witnessing a series of direct attacks and bombardments” on Friday. He said strikes on the hospital grounds at Al-Rantisi set vehicles on fire but they had been partly extinguished.

Source: ARY
 
Caretaker govt has excellent ties with Army: Kakar

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that the caretaker government has got “excellent working relationship” with the military.

“All the challenges of the government we deliberate over them and wherever we feel there is an institutional input required from that side [army], we have an open communication channel with them and we receive a lot of honest input from that and not just input from that, we receive coordination and cooperation in the enforcement part,” a media outlet reported quoting Kakar.

According to Arab News, the interim PM said the term the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general had been extended to preserve “continuity” of policy at a time the country faces increasing militant attacks.

This is the first time a Pakistani official has publicly commented on the extension of Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, who was due to retire late this month. The military has not yet announced Anjum’s extension formally but there has been weeks-long speculation in the media that it had been granted.

The last DG ISI to get an extension was Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, whose tenure coincided with major anti-militant offensives in the country’s northwest.

“Try to understand the point on continuity [of policy]. Any system prefers and supports the idea of continuity,” Kakar told Arab News in an interview this week, when asked why the ISI DG was given an extension.

“You want to have a continuation of the process, and for you the continuation of that process is important so that idea or practice or brand gets entrenched,” the interim PM added.

“So, in that context at times in many institutions, you do feel, or the political dispensation feels, that some individual has to continue for any security benefit or otherwise, and they [the state] have got the discretion to do that [grant extension]. There’s nothing unusual and abnormal about it.”

Kakar told Arab News he did not want to link the rise in militancy to a possible delay in the election. “They [militants] keep on changing their tactics, we have to respond accordingly,” the he said. “So that’s why I’m saying that I’m not linking it [rise in attacks] or our government is not linking it with the electoral process.”

“As we will be approaching to the electoral day, this kind of rhetoric would further increase and for very obvious, understandable reasons and that [is that] every political party wants to create a perception in my opinion with its voters and its support base that they are the victim of the administration and to attract that sympathy and translate to into vote support,” Kakar said, rebuffing accusations of unfair competition.

“I don’t see that there is a government policy of the caretaker to encourage or discourage one or other political group.”

Responding to allegations by the PTI of a widespread crackdown against the party, Kakar said all parties had the right to seek remedies through courts. “They should exhaust all the legal options if they are being legally barred from the electoral process,” the interim PM said.

When asked if he was prepared to create a “level playing field” by suspending Imran Khan’s sentence so he could contest elections, as the Punjab administration had done for Sharif, Kakar said: “We will deliberate in that situation if [it arises] … If it comes to that, we will deliberate that what are the options and what needs to be done and we will decide accordingly.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency, Kakar said that despite India’s lack of interest, Pakistan is focused to reap the benefits from the long-pending four-nation energy corridor, TAPI. But if India chooses to remain out of the benefit of this whole arrangement, they still can do it,” he said.

“With or without India, the Turkmen gas can be exploited for the economic benefit of this region, and we are very much focused on achieving that target.

On Pakistan’s move to deport illegal foreigners, Kakar said the decision was meant to have a regulated movement across the borders. .He mentioned that illegal immigration was never encouraged by any country in the world and Pakistan’s step was in the same context.

About relations with India, he said the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was vital for the normalisation of ties between the two neighbours. “Kashmir is an outstanding issue between India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s traditional position is that it should be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” he said.

Separately, in an interview with the Uzbek television channel Ozbekistan24, the interim PM said that an enhanced air, road and rail connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan was vital. “The connectivity through direct air, rail, and roads will be the answer to bringing the peoples closer,” he remarked. Kakar appreciated the Uzbek president’s eagerness to execute the rail link between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Kakar met with President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two leaders are attending the Extraordinary Summit of the OIC convened to discuss the dire situation in occupied Palestine resulting from the aggression of the Israeli occupation forces both in Gaza and the West Bank. The prime minister conveyed unflinching solidarity of Pakistan with the Palestinian people. President Abbas appreciated Pakistan’s expression of solidarity in this difficult time and its principled stance on the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people. The two leaders emphasized the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire, end to the siege of Gaza and smooth delivery of vital humanitarian aid and medical assistance to the affected population. They underlined the need for international collaboration to stop Israel from further bloodshed. They appealed to the global community, particularly the United Nations and its pertinent organizations, to take resolute measures to uphold principles of justice and humanity and end the carnage of the Palestinian people.
​
www.thenews.com.pk

Caretaker govt has excellent ties with Army: Kakar

Kakar said the term of the ISI boss had been extended to preserve “continuity” of policy at a time Pakistan faces increasing militant attacks
www.thenews.com.pk www.thenews.com.pk
 

PM Kakar appreciates Saudi Arabia's efforts for promoting Palestinian cause​


ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar met Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday on the sidelines of ongoing Joint Arab- Islamic Extraordinary Summit to discuss the latest situation caused by the aggression of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinians both in Gaza and West Bank.

PM Kakar appreciated the role and efforts of Saudi Arabia, under the sagacious leadership of the crown prince, for promoting the Palestinian cause. He thanked the Saudi leadership for the timely initiative of convening the Summit with a view to evolving Joint Arab-Islamic Action on the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The two leaders underlined the need for urgent international collaboration geared to stopping Israel from brutal and indiscriminate aggression against the besieged and innocent Palestinians. They further emphasized the urgency of lifting the blockade of Occupied Gaza to facilitate the delivery of vital humanitarian aid and medical assistance to the affected population.

The prime minister denounced the Israeli action of bombing hospitals, refugee camps, schools and residential buildings, resulting in the loss of more than 10 thousand precious lives. He also underscored Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to a just and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state with borders that existed prior to June 1967 and AlQuds Alsharif as its capital.

The two leaders also exchanged views on bilateral matters and reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthening the longstanding Pakistan- Saudi relations for a mutually rewarding economic partnership.

Source: Dunya News
 
It is good to have such summits but these should also help in producing meaningful results.
 
PM Kakar returns from Riyadh after OIC-AL summit

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar returned on Sunday from Riyadh where he attended the joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit over the Gaza situation.

During his three-day visit, PM Kakar addressed the summit besides holding meetings with several leaders of Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states.

In his address at the summit, the prime minister condemned the incessant and brutal Israeli aggression and the inhumane blockade of Gaza. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and for their right to self-determination.

He underscored that an early establishment of a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, was the only guarantee for lasting peace and security in the region.

On the sidelines of the summit, caretaker prime minister Kakar met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim.

PM Kakar also briefed his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

DAWN
 

Fact-check: Interim PM makes another false claim about enforced disappearances​


The interim prime minister has claimed in a recent television interview that no student from the Balochistan province has been a victim of enforced disappearance to date.

The claim is baseless.

Claim
In an interview to Dawn News on November 3, interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was asked about cases of enforced disappearances in the country, where a person is arrested, detained or abducted by agents of the state and the whereabouts of the disappeared person are later concealed by the state.

In his reply to the question, Kakar claimed that there was a difference between the “right of apprehension” and “enforced disappearances”, adding that the right of apprehension, which according to him was the act of law enforcement agencies arresting a person facing an accusation, was the “inherent right of any state”.

Kakar then stated that if, for example, an arrested person is held for 10 or 12 days and not presented in a court because the law enforcement agencies “are still documenting the apprehension”, the case would not classify as an enforced disappearance.

When the host pressed the premier about the enforced disappearances of students from Balochistan, Kakar alleged that “no Baloch student” had been enforced disappeared, again emphasising the host differentiating between “enforced disappearance” and “right of apprehension”.

“In many cases, these young men [the Baloch students], if they have been arrested due to any allegation, and if they have [later] appeared [in front of a magistrate] then we cannot put them in the category of enforced disappearance,” he added.

Fact
Official documents, lawyers and human rights activists contradict the prime minister’s claim that no case of enforced disappearance of students from Balochistan has been recorded to date.

Even the government-run Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has recorded the enforced disappearance of at least five students from the Balochistan province between April 2022 and May 2023.

As per the data shared by Farid Ahmed Khan, the secretary of the commission, one student went missing on April 5, 2022, two on August 3, 2023, one on May 5, 2023, and one on May 25, 2023.

However, Khan added that the commission does not usually categorise cases of enforced disappearance in terms of their occupation, which is why it was difficult to calculate how many of those missing were students.

In total, the commission has received 10,014 cases of “alleged enforced disappearance” from March 2011 to September 2023, of which 2,732 were reported from Balochistan alone.

Meanwhile, the data compiled by human rights activists and Baloch students themselves of enforced disappearances is much higher than the official data.

As per a letter written on October 10, 2022, by Baloch students to the Baloch Students Commission, constituted by the Islamabad High Court, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan and the students had till last year documented at least 69 cases of the enforced disappearances of students from Balochistan.

In addition to the 69 cases, three Baloch students who went missing were later found dead, stated the letter.

What is the 'right of apprehension'?
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, an Islamabad-based lawyer, told Geo Fact Check that she had never heard of the term “right of apprehension” which was used by the interim prime minister.

“Enforced disappearance is taking someone outside the ambit of the law as they are not produced in court and nobody knows about their fate and whereabouts,” she said, over the phone, “There is no such thing, legally, that recognises ‘right of apprehension’.”

Salman Akram Raja, an Islamabad-based lawyer, told Geo Fact Check that a lawful arrest requires a person to be produced before a court of law within 48 hours of arrest.

“All other forms [of holding a person in detention etc] are illegal,” he added.

Geo Fact Check also did not find any national or international definition of the term “right of apprehension”.

What is an enforced disappearance?
Pakistan’s official Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances defines an enforced disappearance or missing person as “such person who has been picked up/taken into custody by any law enforcing/intelligence agency, working under the civilian or military control, in a manner which is contrary to the provisions of the law.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances defines enforced disappearances as an “arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the state or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of the state, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which places such a person outside the protection of the law.”

Source: GEO
 
These missing people issue has been going on for several decades now and it must come to an end now.
 
Uzbek deputy PM arrives in Pakistan for crucial trade talks

ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and In-charge of Trade and Investment Dr Jamshid Khodjaev has arrived in Pakistan for a crucial two-day visit aimed at exploring ways to bolster bilateral trade and investment relations.

This high-profile visit underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations and is expected to further cement their partnership in the realms of trade and investment.

An official announcement from the commerce ministry said on Monday that during the visit Dr Khodjaev would meet senior government officials to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in a range of sectors, including trade and investment. He will also lead a delegation of Uzbekistan’s business leaders for meetings with their Pakistani counterparts to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have enjoyed close economic ties for many years. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has grown substantially in the last three years, from $27 million in 2019-20 to $126m in 2022-23. However, this is much below the full potential of bilateral trade.

The visit of Dr Khodjaev is expected to provide further impetus to bilateral trade and investment relations. The two countries have several complementary strengths and opportunities, and there is significant potential for increased cooperation in a range of sectors.

In December 2022, Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed nine memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to increase cooperation in various fields and prepare an action plan to boost the trade volume to $1 billion.

The two sides agreed to implement the Pak-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) from February 2023, as the Uzbekistan side will complete internal formalities in January and the Pakistan side has already completed the same.
​
www.dawn.com

Uzbek deputy PM arrives in Pakistan for crucial trade talks

He will also lead a delegation of Uzbek business leaders for meetings with their Pakistani counterparts to explore new opportunities for investment.
www.dawn.com
 
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released the statement of assets and liabilities of the caretaker prime minister and his cabinet members, showing that caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar was not a rich man, even in his hometown in Balochistan.

The former member of the upper house has inherited 20 acres of land in the Kila Saifullah area, and only has 100 shares in a mining company valued at Rs50,000.

His spouse has 10 tola gold and jewellery, his household items are worth Rs400,000 and Mr Kakar does not own any vehicle or business outside the country, as per his statement submitted to the ECP. However, the caretaker PM has Rs47.72 million cash in hand or in banks.

The other key cabinet member from Balochistan, coming from a strong tribal family, is Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti. He owns 90 camels, 8,870 sheep, 4,060 goats, 400 cows, 80 bulls and 86 buffaloes — all inherited — and their worth was around Rs7bn. His cash holding was around Rs7.42m, with Rs6.80m worth of household items.

In his statement to the ECP, Mr Bugti stated that he owned a 2010 model vehicle valued at Rs10.20 m and shares in a CNG station in the Sui area of Balochistan. Neither he nor his wife has any gold or jewellery, he informed the ECP.

Mr Bugti has a share in a two-kanal house in Multan and owns one apartment in Multan, a house in Islamabad, and a plot in Quetta all valued at around Rs76m.

www.dawn.com

PM has ‘no business, car’; Bugti’s wealth above Rs7bn

Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar “does not own any car or any vehicle”, asset details submitted to ECP reveal.
www.dawn.com
 
PM sees no peace sans Kashmir issue settlement

ISLAMABAD: Peace in the region could not be guaranteed until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Tuesday but stressed that Pakistan would not indulge in an arms race.

“Let me make it clear that there can be no peace without the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue,” the premier said in his address at the graduation ceremony of the officers at the Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan, Risalpur.

Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and wishes to maintain friendly relations with all countries, especially its neighbours, he said, insisting that the country’s desire for peace “must not be understood as weakness”.

The prime minister highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment profoundly impacted Pakistan and the rest of the region. “Therefore, the situation demands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction that PAF had modernised itself through the smart induction of cutting-edge technology and achieved progress in non-contact warfare through indigenous means.

The PM congratulated the cadets who graduated from the colleges of flying training and aeronautical engineering, and expressed confidence that they would give their best professional performance with commitment and diligence.

The PAF graduates included 148 general duty pilots, 94 aeronautical engineers, 104 air defence and 130 combat support course officers. The PM also witnessed a fly-past of the formations of PAF jets, including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C.
​
DAWN
 
The Kashmir issue is not going to be solved anytime soon until both stakeholders sit and have a dialogue. Only a peaceful dialogue can solve this conflict.
 
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned the Prime Minister in the next hearing of the missing Baloch students’ case, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

The high court ordered to produce 55 missing Baloch students in court, or the prime minister should appear in person on November 29.

The defence and interior ministers and secretaries should also appear in the court, the bench further ordered.

Earlier, the high court expressed displeasure over the ministerial committee’s report on enforced disappearances and summoned Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal in the court hearing.

“We will also summon the human rights minister,” the bench said. “The court is doing, what was the responsibility of the executive,” the court observed.

“If we send this issue to the United Nations and get our country humiliated,” the bench asked.

AAG Munawar Iqbal Duggal pleaded the high court bench not to summon the prime minister and other ministers.

“There is nothing in it,” Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said. “What will be a joke and insult of the people of this country when they are being subjected to forced disappearances,” the bench remarked.

The representative of the defence ministry appeared before the court on the call. “Tell the interior minister to appear in court and his appearance will make no difference,” the bench said.

AAG pleaded again to the court, not to summon the ministers.

“It is not a rocket science to summon these people. We are talking for the rights of Balochistan while sitting in Islamabad,” Justice Kayani remarked.

“Giving you seven days’ time for implementation,” the court said.

Earlier, Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghumman submitted the report of the ministerial committee’s session in the court.

Earlier, Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghumman submitted the report of the ministerial committee’s session in the court.

The one-page report of the six points agenda of the session was produced to the bench.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani expressed disappointment over the report and returned back it.

“The report is shame for the court,” Justice Kayani remarked. “The Prime Minister and the Interior Minister are both from Balochistan, they should realize that it is the matter of Baloch students,” Justice Kayani observed.

The Islamabad High Court had summoned report from the federal government’s committee within a week.

A federal cabinet committee headed by the Interior Minister has been constituted to review the cases of enforced disappearances in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The committee comprises of three members was notified and the law ministry officials had produced the notification to the high court.

The committee also included the law and defence ministers.

“The ministerial committee will review the cases of enforced disappearances”, the notification read. The cabinet committee could get assistance from human rights organizations in the matter, the government has notified.

Source: ARY

arynews.tv

Enforced disappearances: IHC summons Caretaker PM in next hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned the Prime Minister in the next hearing of the missing Baloch students' case, ARY News reported on
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 

Kakar to attend COP-28 in UAE​

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will represent Pakistan during the high-level segment of 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28) being held in the United Arab Emirates on December 01-02.

The prime minister chaired an inter-provincial review meeting with regard to the COP-28. The meeting was attended by the caretaker federal ministers for finance, foreign affairs, climate change and planning, and relevant officials, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

PM Kakar said that climate change was an issue of national endurance for the countries like Pakistan and observed that Pakistan was playing a positive role in the global climate debate through climate diplomacy.

He said that despite its less than one percent imprints in the global climate change factors, Pakistan was amongst the countries hugely affected by the changes.

One third of the country’s population was badly affected by the climate induced floods, he added.

The prime minister also lauded the relevant institutions and organizations of the country for their best role in the reconstruction efforts in the post-flood period.

He also directed the relevant authorities to make full preparations for representing Pakistan’s stance during the COP-28 on climate finance and other issues effectively.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
Hopefully, it won't be a another conference where our leaders will come back with some promised new loans. There should be another solution to make our economy stable rather than keep on getting the loans and increasing the debts.
 

PM seeks national-level disaster management strategy​

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to collaborate with provincial disaster management bodies in order to formulate a national-level strategy to tackle natural disasters.

During his visit to the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), PM Kakar lauded the measures taken by NDMA and NEOC in coping with natural disasters. However, he also stressed steps to enhance the capacity of Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs).

The prime minister emphasised benefiting from the research of foreign and Pakistani experts on climate change and ways to reduce its disastrous effects.

The prime minister, who is due to participate in the 28th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-28) in the United Arab Emirates on December 1-2, said Pakistan would update the world about its experiences in the wake of climate change.

NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the prime minister about the national strategy for disaster management.

Federal ministers Jalil Abbas Jilani and Shahmshad Akhtar attended the meeting.

The meeting was told that the NDMA had formulated a strategy for coping with disaster management, making a two-month advance forecast, and minimising the losses.

It was highlighted that Pakistan was among the countries that were facing the consequences of climate change in the shape of glacier melting, floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), avalanches, landslides, and forest fires.

The meeting was apprised about the tools, including mobile disaster vehicles and satellite monitoring, used by the NDMA to assess the high-risk areas.

With a coordinated approach, the data collected was shared with the provincial and local administration.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
This matter needs to taken care with full commitment as whenever a natural disaster happens, we seem to be not able to cope with it effectively.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

FearlessRoar
[VIDEOS] "People love resistance and votes go to resistance": Rana Sanaullah
Replies
11
Views
179
FearlessRoar
FearlessRoar
C
"We were willing to send an Indian Air Force aircraft to pick him up but Pakistan refused permission": Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan
Replies
6
Views
458
Major
Major
B
Imran Khan's rivals, Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, form the Pakistan government
2
Replies
128
Views
4K
FearlessRoar
FearlessRoar
FearlessRoar
“India should give respect to Pakistan as it has an atom bomb": Mani Shankar Aiyar
2 3
Replies
189
Views
2K
Cpt. Rishwat
Cpt. Rishwat
FearlessRoar
“Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because they’re xenophobic": Joe Biden
Replies
4
Views
178
BouncerGuy
B
Back
Top