ISLAMBAD: The government’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections was reaffirmed by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday, who stated that no valid justification had been presented to postpone the general elections.
During an interview with a television channel, the prime minister stated that the candidates were out canvassing and that all the rumors will be put to rest by the evening of February 8, the day of the country’s national elections.
Concerning the common post-or pre-election claims of manipulation, he stated that the legislature should take stock of its mistakes and fix any problems with the laws, the administration, or the Election Commission.
He assured that the elections would be generally free and fair according to regional standards, saying that observers would keep an eye on things and that both domestic and foreign media would cover the story.
The prime minister found evidence of vote-buying by political groups, who he said were creating false IDs and using the votes of the dead.
He emphasized that everyone should exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election, which is scheduled for February 8, from 9 am to 5 pm.
He lamented that, despite repeated calls for action, no major political party has proposed a plan to improve the nation’s economic situation. According to Kakar, a stable economy was the foundation upon which all of the political parties’ platform promises rest, including housing, affordable power, food security, and employment opportunities.
In order to increase tax income, the prime minister said, the various political groups must devise a strategy.
He cited a 91% tax-to-GDP ratio in Scandinavian countries as an example, saying that Pakistan’s ratio was lower at 9%. He went on to say that increased taxes will also bring the government closer to the people.
He reflected on his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly session, calling it “a forum which cannot be ignored,” and subsequent encounters in Europe, where he had a stopover for refueling, in response to a query regarding his international tours. He went on to say that he had the chance to meet world leaders and negotiate bilateral agreements while attending the ECO Summit, the COP28 session, and the BRI Forum in China.
The caretaker administration, he said, has to step in to handle foreign policy and other day-to-day operations.
Concerning the return of undocumented foreign nationals, he clarified that Pakistan had only deported those who could not provide proper identification; those with proper documentation would be permitted to return after they obtained the necessary visas and passports.
When asked about social media, he compared it to traditional media and said that it was a problem since people of all ages and levels of intelligence have called for its regulation.
He stated that the accusations leveled against the caretaker administration for acting beyond its authority was unfounded because the measures taken by that government had been lawfully reviewed and approved by the Law Division, in addition to receiving support from the cabinet.
