Caretaker govt committed to facilitate ECP in holding free, fair elections: PM Kakar

New York: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that he had projected Pakistan's perspective on a range of regional and world issues during his address at the 78th UN General Assembly's session in New York.

Interacting with the representatives of Pakistani media at the Pakistani Mission in New York, he said he informed the world about Pakistan's perspective on Kashmir and Palestine issues, and Hindutva ideology being pursued by the Indian government.

He said his visit to the New York remained highly successful, where he held useful meetings with the global leaders, including UN Secretary General António Guterres, and discussed regional and international issues.

The Prime Minister said that he also held meetings with different business bodies, which showed interests in the economic revival plans in Pakistan, including privatization and SIFC.

He also termed his discussion with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as highly constructive, adding that she hoped that the upcoming mandated government would carry on the economic plan. He said the IMF remained very appreciative of the interim government's steps over illegal trade of dollars.

Talking about upcoming general elections in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said holding the general elections is the prime responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan.  He said the caretaker government is fully committed to facilitating the Election Commission in holding free, fair and transparent polls.  The Prime Minister made it clear that the caretaker government has not stopped any political party to take part in the electoral process.

To a question about rising inflation in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that the caretaker government has conducted administrative intervention against the sugar and wheat mafias with effective measures. He made it clear that there is no dearth of these commodities in the country as different edible items were readily available. He, however, clarified that prices of certain commodities are linked with the international prices.

About foreign investment in Pakistan, he said the international investors are now willing to make investment in Pakistan due to prudent economic policies of the current government.

Talking about the murder of Khalistan Movement Sikh leader in Canada, the Prime Minister said that the gruesome incident has jolted the West and raised serious questions about the role of Indian state. He said that Pakistan has been a victim of such state-sponsored terrorism and shared evidences of 'Pakistan centric' at different global and multilateral fora about the role of Indian state.

He said that it might be the first of its kind event probably after the First World War that an Asian country staged a physical murder on the European soil and its impacts are being witnessed across the western countries, who now has realized as to how India is persecuting its minorities like Christians, Sikhs and Muslims.

About Afghanistan, the prime minister said that they held multifaceted engagements with the Afghan interim government and hoped the outcome of these engagements will be beneficial for the two countries.  Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that Pakistan respects the territorial sovereignty and integrity of Afghanistan.  He said that Pakistan will take all steps to protect its own territorial integrity and people whenever any need arises.

About Pakistan-US ties, he said that Islamabad enjoys highly constructive historic relations with Washington, which will be further strengthened in the days to come.  The Prime Minister said that the Pakistani diaspora is contributing in the United States and playing its due role in the community building.