Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar named Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister

Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar named Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister
Islamabad: Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar was on Saturday appointed the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan to head a neutral political set-up to run the cash-strapped country until the next General Election.

Kakar’s name was agreed upon during the final day of consultations between outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Leader of Opposition in the dissolved National Assembly, Raja Riaz Ahmad, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition jointly signed the advice (to appoint Kakar) and it was sent to the president,” read the PMO statement.

Kakar, 52, is an ethnic Pushtun from Balochistan province and a part of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) — a party considered close to the powerful establishment of the country.

In his first reaction, Kakar tweeted: “Thank you to Allah Almighty who gives me the opportunity to Serve the Nation as Caretaker PM of Pakistan. I.A (inshallah) will do the best which will be in favour of Pakistan.”

Speaking to the media, Opposition leader 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.

President Arif Alvi approved the appointment of Kakar as the caretaker Prime Minister under Article 224(1A) of the Constitution.

Sharif also thanked Riaz for his cooperation during the consultation process and for his excellent leadership of the Opposition during the past 16 months.

Former Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also confirmed that Kakar emerged as a consensus candidate during a discussion between the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader.

The Premier and Opposition parties began rounds of meetings to pick a caretaker Prime Minister following the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9.

Under Provision of Article 224 (1A) of the Constitution, the president appoints the caretaker Prime Minister in consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly, the Lower House of Parliament.

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