ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that no solid reason had yet come to fore to justify delay in general elections, assuring that government was committed to holding polls as freely and fairly as possible.

In an interview with newly launched television channel he said candidates were canvassing and all rumours would fall to rest by evening of February 8-date for general elections in country.

Regarding usual complaints of rigging before or after elections, he said that learning lessons from past, Parliament needed to address all flaws regarding laws, administration, or Election Commission.

He said observers would monitor and local and international media would report on activity, assuring that as per standards in region, elections would by and large be free and fair.

He observed that political parties were also involved in poll rigging by making fake ID cards and casting votes of deceased persons.

Emphasising key focus on improvement of national economy, he said unfortunately no political party had yet come up with an agenda to boost country’s economic health. He said all electoral claims made by parties including jobs, shelters, cheap electricity, food security and others were directly related to stable economy. He said political parties needed to come up with plan for revenue generation and widen tax net.

He explained that caretaker government had to play role to run day-to-day affairs, including foreign policy matters. About repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, he said Pakistan had expelled only those with no identity and record and that such individuals would be allowed to return after obtaining valid passports and visas.

Discussing social media, he called it challenge that empowered individuals irrespective of their educational and mental capability and advocated for its regulation like mainstream media.

He said the criticism of caretaker government for doing things beyond mandate was not genuine as all of its actions were legitimate and vetted by Law Division besides backing of Cabinet’s approval.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 30 2024

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