Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar appointed as interim Prime Minister of Pakistan
Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, a Pakistani senator from Balochistan, has been appointed as the interim prime minister of Pakistan.
The appointment was announced by the office of the current prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, on Saturday.
Kakar will head a transitional government until the next national elections, which are scheduled to be held within 90 days. He is a relatively lesser-known figure, but he has served as a senator since 2018. He is affiliated with the Balochistan Awami Party, a group that is often perceived as having close ties with the influential military establishment in Pakistan.
The appointment of Kakar as interim prime minister comes at a time of political uncertainty in Pakistan. The country's parliament was dissolved on Wednesday, and the latest census data indicates that it will take additional time to redefine constituencies for the upcoming elections. This means that the elections may be delayed beyond the 90-day deadline.
The upcoming vote is also expected to proceed without the participation of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan was recently convicted of corruption and sentenced to three years in prison, a charge he denies. He has vowed to challenge the verdict, and it is unclear whether he will be able to participate in the elections.
The interim government will face the challenge of simultaneously addressing economic, security, and political issues. The country is facing a severe economic crisis, and the security situation in Balochistan remains volatile. The government will also need to address the political unrest that has followed Khan's removal from office.
Kakar is a seasoned politician with a strong background in law and government. He is seen as a moderate figure who is capable of bridging the divide between the country's major political parties. He will need to use all of his skills and experience to navigate the challenges facing the interim government. (ILKHA)