Interim PM Kakar rejects possibility of delay in elections

Islamabad: Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Saturday rejected any possibility of delay in holding general elections due to security threats at Pakistan’s borders.

The acting prime minister stated in an interview with a international media outlet that he believed to overcome border security challenges and complete the election process.

“Although there is an alarming situation on our western and eastern frontiers, wherein the required response mechanism is being enhanced, we are sure that we will control the situation and complete the electoral process,” he said.

According to Kakar, the interim administration was fully prepared to support the ECP by offering funding and security for the elections.

The prime minister mentioned that there might have been particular challenges during that time that were recognised by several forums in relation to previous delays in elections in two provinces.

Kakar emphasized his passion to safeguarding Pakistan's democratic process by reiterating his commitment to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted electoral process.

In answer to a query, Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to bringing up the subject of Indian Illegally Occupied and Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) at international and local fora, describing it as the oldest and most unsolved item on the UN Security Council's (UNSC) agenda.

He highlighted Pakistan's persistent support for the Kashmir problem at various global and regional fora, promising to keep doing so till it is resolved.

Kakar also raised attention to severe violations of human rights in IIOJK, referring to the region as the biggest prison in the world where Kashmiris' voices are muted.

When asked about the country's press freedom, Prime Minister Kakar responded that it was free and that the media could freely discuss things pertaining to the government, its institutions, or the economy.

Kakar vehemently rejected attempts to prevent the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from entering politics in relation to legal matters involving the PTI chairman, pointing out that the matter was under appeal because of claims against the PTI leader. He expressed the desire for an open legal system.

The premier stated in response to a different query that the interim administration functioned within the bounds of the existing constitutional process and that the former speaker of the house and the opposition in the National Assembly had nominated him.

He firmly rejected the notion that the interim government was a continuation of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

In addition to underlining Pakistan's engagement with the Taliban and the international community in pertinent fora, Kakar emphasized Pakistan's responsibility in fostering long-lasting peace in Afghanistan and the surrounding area. He referred to the Taliban's pledge made as part of the Doha Agreement not to conduct acts of terrorism against any nation from Afghanistan.

Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan's right to defend itself against terrorist activity and its preparedness to take the necessary steps to protect its people and territory in relation to terrorist acts launched from Afghan territory.

The prime minister further downplayed Islamabad's isolation by noting Pakistan's solid ties with Arab, Gulf, and other nearby nations. In the upcoming years, he expressed optimism about further deepening the long-standing ties with Western countries.