ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar voiced surprise over allegations pertaining to rigging during elections 2024 despite PTI founder Imran Khan’s loyalists being in lead.

Addressing press conference, interim premier stressed that allegations of rigging were generated through social media which were based upon “Misconceptions and contrary to ground realities”, noting that throughout democratic history, people had always questioned electoral process.

PM Kakar reiterated that interim setup had provided level playing field to all political parties during elections 2024 and being ‘free and fair’ process, large number of independent candidates backed by PTI emerged as largest single group on national and provincial assemblies seats.

“Such results indicated the transparency and non -interference by any quarters”, the caretaker Prime Minister emphasised.

However, Kakar said, there might be shortcomings or other minor issues, but by and large, elections were held in manner in which entire nation and law enforcement agencies deserved kudos despite various security challenges.

“Where PTI has public support, it got that and they have results never dreamt of during 2018,” he said, adding that loyalists of jailed PTI leaders have emerged as returned candidates in general elections but no one was appreciating that aspect of neutrality of caretaker government.

To question, he said that despite various threats prior to February 8 election day and two terrorist attacks in Balochistan province, all stakeholders deserved appreciation over ‘big achievement’ for peaceful conduct of polls.

Caretaker PM said that delay in announcement of official results were caused by specific procedures regarding compiling of results at 92,000 polling stations and credited Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting massive exercise in smooth manner. To another question, he said that mobile phone services were suspended on poll day due to security threats.

Responding to query about prospects of forming commission to investigate polls allegations, he maintained that it would be up to upcoming elected government to make assessments over such demands and decide, but he would not speculate about it.

To question, he said that International Monetary Fund had no issue with privatisation process of caretaker government

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 13 2024

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.