No delay in Polls
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar firmly rejects the possibility of election delays due to border security concerns. He emphasizes that the security situation on Pakistan’s eastern and western borders, while alarming, will not disrupt the electoral process. PM Kakar asserts that they are confident in their ability to manage the situation and ensure timely elections.
This statement by the interim premier comes amidst growing demands for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the poll date promptly.
The ECP, citing the new digital 2023 census results and the Elections Act’s Section 17(2), justifies the extension of the election timeline beyond the constitutionally mandated 90 days after the National Assembly’s dissolution on May 9.
President Dr. Arif Alvi suggested holding general elections by November 6, adhering to the constitutionally mandated timeframe. However, PM Kakar and the ECP maintain that it is the ECP’s sole responsibility to decide and announce the election dates, with the caretaker government providing necessary support.
PM Kakar assures that they are actively assisting the ECP in preparing for the elections and he said there will be no delay in polls. He reiterates that the interim government will not object if the Supreme Court mandates elections within the 90-day period, emphasizing their commitment to support the ECP’s mandate.
Commitment to Taking Necessary Defense Actions
When asked about the possibility of surgical strikes and drone attacks in Afghanistan in response to the growing threat from the banned militant outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), he asserted, “Pakistan retains the right to self-defense. We will take action wherever necessary to safeguard our land and people.”
He continued, “I won’t delve into the specifics of operational decisions, but when the threat demands it, we will make appropriate decisions.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s interests were paramount in discussions with the Afghan Taliban. He dispelled the notion that the Afghan Taliban were resistant to Pakistan’s demands and clarified that Pakistan had not made any specific demands from the neighboring country’s leadership.
Referring to the Doha agreement, he believed that the Afghan Taliban understood the importance of adhering to the pact, which prohibited the use of Afghan soil against other nations.
Lastly, he acknowledged that various factors could hinder the fulfillment of the agreement’s conditions and stated that Pakistan was actively engaged in relevant forums to address this issue and ensure compliance from the other side.
