- Lauds COAS for a swift, appropriate, and measured response to attack on Pakistani soil
- Says his cabinet’s last meeting would take up privatization of PIA, FWB, and other entities
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar Sunday said the caretaker government would be leaving and the new government would be formed after the elections on February 8, putting all speculations and conspiracy theories to rest.
In an interview with a private television, PM Kakar said from day one there was no doubt that the elections would be held on time and now this would be happening in the coming days after all the speculations.
The caretaker government performed its duties according to the constitutional mandate and he would take responsibility for all the decisions taken during its tenure, he added.
To a question, he said, “Our democracy is evolving and we are a transitional democracy with all its flaws and weaknesses.”
Parliament would be formed after the polls and it would take up necessary constitutional and legal reforms to strengthen democracy according to suggestions from different strata of society, he remarked.
The prime minister said that terrorism was a serious issue and its surge happened due to withdrawal of the United States and NATO forces from Afghanistan, who left behind modern weapons which came in possession of terrorist groups.
“We have taken up a clear position against the terrorist groups and the law enforcement agencies are steadfastly taking on the terrorists with bravery,” he observed.
He said that the terror groups who wanted to become part of the mainstream of Pakistan should be given an opportunity to engage for talks.
The prime minister said during his tenure, he represented Pakistan at the United Nations and interacted with the world leaders and explained Pakistan’s perspective to them.
He said he also met with the Chinese leadership, policymakers and think tanks at the Belt and Road Forum in China to exchange ideas on achieving shared prosperity for humanity.
“We signed 10 memorandums of understanding with China on increasing cooperation, especially on the projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).”
He appreciated the army chief for the swift, appropriate and measured response in the aftermath of the attack on the Pakistani soil from Iran.
Pakistan de-escalated the situation with Iran and now there was realization that both countries could not afford deterioration in the bilateral relations, he added.
To a question, he said his government increased aid to Gaza threefold and with the institutional input, advocated the cause of Palestine from the platform of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The Islamic world should unite behind the people of Palestine and the Palestinians should decide for themselves their future course, he opined.
He said Pakistan categorically told the European Union countries that the situation in the Gaza would have a long time effect in the arena of international affairs.
He said, “After I assumed charge, the biggest crises before me were economy, rising inflation, volatile exchange rate, tax collection, spending of the government and circular debt.”
His government stabilized the economy with the crackdown on smuggling and illegal trade of dollars, he told.
“We kept dollar at Rs 180 and the level of inflation was kept stable and now the economic indicators are better. We took steps for simplification of tax collection system.”
MoUs worth about $35 billion were signed with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, he said, adding Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) took concrete measures for attracting investment.
He said his government in the last cabinet meeting would take up the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines, the First Women Bank (FWB) and some other state owned entities.
