Former Prime Minister Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has defended the current government, stating that it deserves time to implement its policies and reap the benefits of its economic reforms. He pointed to the recent improvement in Pakistan’s credit rating by Moody’s as a positive sign.

Speaking on the news program “News Insight with Aamir Zia” today, Kakar asserted that the fruits of the policies implemented during his tenure are now becoming evident. He believes that the current government’s actions will lead to improved revenue collection and expenditure adjustments in the upcoming fiscal year.

Responding to a question about the upcoming elections in February 2024, Kakar claimed that the process of making the elections controversial had already begun. He attributed the rise of “dharna politics” or protest culture to the 2013 elections, arguing that it was not a response to economic issues or terrorism but rather a challenge to the electoral process itself.

Kakar believes that the public’s concern is not with rigging itself, but with the extent of rigging. He suggested that a small amount of rigging might be acceptable.

When asked about his assessment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s performance, Kakar expressed disappointment, stating that Khan’s focus was on creating narratives and appearances rather than addressing actual issues.

While acknowledging that the current government is not without its flaws, Kakar stated that he cannot offer the same level of support to the current coalition as he did to the PTI, as there are questions surrounding some of its members.

He warned that if the government fails to address the economic and political crises, it will lose its political capital. This, he believes, could negatively impact the entire political landscape, potentially benefiting the PTI or another political party.

Regarding the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, Kakar expressed concern over the apparent increase in the terrorists’ organization and capabilities, as well as their growing support among the local population.

He attributed this development to the withdrawal of NATO forces from the region in 2022, which left behind a large quantity of small arms. These weapons have fallen into the hands of various non-state actors, including terrorist groups, who are now challenging different states using these resources.