Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has hinted that general elections could be held earlier than expected as the country’s top electoral authority is due to complete delimitation of constituencies by November 30.

“It’s possible it can be held before that,” Kakar said when asked whether elections would be held in January or February in an interview on Aaj News’ show Faisla Aap Ka with by Asma Shirazi on Thursday.

“But the Election Commission of Pakistan has to decide it so we are also waiting for it as soon as they will announce the date all the preparations will be done and fulfil the constitutional duty.”

What if the Supreme Court of Pakistan orders election to be held within 90 days. Will the government implement the order?

“Of course, it will be implemented,” he said in response to a query. “See, the Supreme Court is an apex body and it is binding on the government if a decision is made on all legal questions put in front of the SC. We will try to ensure its implementation in letter and spirit.”

He assured that all the voters have the right to choose their favourite political party and there would not be any institutional interference.

“Everyone would be allowed to hold public gatherings and have speeches,” he said.

‘Love and hate relationship’

The caretaker prime minister was asked about his rivals who claimed he was close to the military and the current government was a “hybrid regime”.

“I am their man or every one of us has been their man or not, I don’t get in this judgement or discourse because I think this is the most irrelevant aspect of our politics,” he replied.

Without naming anyone, Kakar explained that politicians always wanted to be associated with ‘them’ and later they became disgruntled. “We have our longings and then again we want to be haters. This cycle continues. This love and hate relationship in our politics continues.”

The caretaker prime minister stated that the interim government was looking to diversify its trade avenues, eyeing markets of Central Asia, Turkiye, and Iran.

Kakar shared that his government’s most important goal is to improve the economy. He was of the view that the country’s economic challenge was translating into social and political challenges.

Economic challenges have been there for the past five to six decades, he said and blamed the model on which the economy was based.

He tried to dispel feelings that the interim setup was over stepping its authority, reiterating that the government was in power not for a long-term

He stressed the need for digitization of the economy and tax system to generate revenue. The interim premier added that the government might make “tough decisions”, which would be beneficial in the long run. “We have to stop tax evasion. We don’t have to use the army in this task. We have to use technology.”

Exorbitant bills

Kakae said he was aware of public issues including inflated electricity bills and lamented how those paying the bills were bearing the brunt of defaulters.

While speaking about energy conservation, he replied that the center needed provinces’ support to achieve the target of early market closure.

He was asked about a query on the army chief meeting with the businessmen. The interim PM wondered why there was a perception that powers have been shifted. “The military is the organ of the government under the Constitution,” Kakar said and added that the institution has been forthcoming where they needed their help

Kakar was of the view that it was up to politicians to come up or sit together for the charter of the economy.

When asked, the interim premier said that the decisions taken under the Special Investment Facilitation Council would start producing results by the end of December.

He shared that Emiratis, Saudis, and Qataris had shown interest in different sectors, including agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals. The investment could be up to $25 billion to $50 billion.

“By the end of December, some of such agreements would start or be completed.”

When asked, the caretaker premier said that many proposals have been shared with the prospective investors.

NADRA chairman appointment

Kakar said that data collection was very sensitive while replying to a question pertaining to the appointment of a retired general as NADRA chairman.

“There are national security issues connected to it,” he said and spoke about the perception that foreign nationals have been added to the country’s database.

The interim premier clarified that any civilian civil servant or military bureaucrat can serve in such a position as per the rules of business.

He stressed the need to strike a balance while dealing with the types of content on social media.

Kakar went on to add that the government’s priority was to counter the threat of terrorism rather than dwelling in the past. He added that the government followed a multi-faceted approach in dealing with banned organisations.

The caretaker prime minister called for stability in Afghanistan which has a far-reaching impact on the region.

Dialogue with India

“Our economic problem is not just linked with India for trade that we will have economic revival after trade with India. If someone is thinking like that such a perception is not correct,” said Kakar.

He added that both countries have disputes on different matters.

“I think, maybe there is not much appetite in India vis-à-vis Pakistan. Will it be appropriate to start such a point? We are considering all these things,” the interim PM stated.

As a history student, Kakar said that India cannot achieve its targets until it resolves its matters with Pakistan in an equitable manner.

To a query, he replied that it was in benefit of India to have talks with Pakistan.

May 9 events

“I don’t consider those who are involved in May 9 events as terrorists,” the caretaker premier said and added that such people have violated laws and should reach their logical conclusion.

He clarified that no one was against the PTI and the government was only those people who vandalized state buildings on that day or were involved in arson.