Pakistan has a new caretaker prime minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, who will lead the country until the next general elections in 2023. But who is he and what are his credentials? Here is a brief profile of the man who will head the interim government for the next few months.
Who is Anwar ul Haq Kakar
A former senator and spokesperson
Anwar ul Haq Kakar is a veteran politician and media personality who has served as a senator and a spokesperson for various governments and political parties. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 2015 as an independent candidate from Balochistan, and later joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. He was also appointed as the spokesperson for the Balochistan government in 2017.
Kakar has also been associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which was led by former prime minister Imran Khan. He was the PTI’s spokesperson in Balochistan from 2012 to 2014. He resigned from the party after developing differences with Khan over the issue of dialogue with the Taliban.
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Kakar is known for his outspoken views on various national and regional issues, especially those related to Balochistan. He has advocated for the rights and development of the province, and has also condemned the violence and militancy in the region. He has also been vocal about the role of foreign interference and conspiracies in destabilizing Pakistan.
A consensus candidate for caretaker PM
Kakar was nominated as the caretaker prime minister by the outgoing PML-N government and the opposition parties, after they failed to reach an agreement on a consensus candidate. The decision was announced by President Arif Alvi on August 11, 2023, following consultations with all the stakeholders.
Kakar will head a caretaker cabinet that will be sworn in soon. His main task will be to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in 2023, which are expected to be held in April or May. He will also have to deal with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and the security situation in the country.
Kakar has said that he will perform his duties with honesty and impartiality, and will not interfere in the affairs of any political party or institution. He has also expressed his hope that the next elections will be peaceful and democratic, and will reflect the true aspirations of the people of Pakistan.
A rare occurrence in Pakistan’s history
This is not the first time that Pakistan has appointed a caretaker prime minister to oversee the transition from one elected government to another. The country has a constitutional provision that allows for such an arrangement in case of a deadlock or a dissolution of the parliament.
However, this is only the fourth time in Pakistan’s history that a caretaker prime minister has been chosen by consensus among all the political parties. The previous three instances were in 1990, 1993 and 1997. In most cases, the caretaker prime minister was selected by the president or the chief election commissioner, after consultation with the outgoing government and the opposition.
The appointment of Kakar as the caretaker prime minister is seen as a sign of political maturity and stability in Pakistan, which has witnessed several episodes of military coups, martial laws, and constitutional crises in its 74 years of existence. It is also seen as an opportunity for a smooth transfer of power and a fresh start for democracy in Pakistan.
A native of Balochistan with diverse education
Anwar ul Haq Kakar was born in 1971 in Muslim Bagh, a town in Qilla Saifullah district of Balochistan. He belongs to the Kakar tribe of Pashtuns, who are mainly settled in northern Balochistan. He received his primary education from St. Francis School in Quetta, the provincial capital. He later enrolled in Cadet College Kohat, but returned to Quetta after his father’s death.
Kakar completed his bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from University of Balochistan (UOB). He also obtained a master’s degree in political science from UOB. He started his career by teaching in a school in his hometown. He later joined various think tanks and academic institutions as a researcher and lecturer on international relations, geopolitics, and regional affairs. He is also an alumnus of National Defence University (NDU), where he attended courses on security studies.
Kakar is fluent in several languages, including Pashto, Urdu, Persian, English, Balochi, and Brahvi. He has also written articles and columns for various newspapers and magazines on political and social issues.
A family man with a passion for sports
Anwar ul Haq Kakar is married and has four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a devout Muslim and follows the teachings of Islam. He is also fond of sports, especially cricket and football. He supports the Pakistan national cricket team and the Barcelona football club.
He is also a philanthropist and a social worker, who has contributed to various causes and charities in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan. He has also participated in several campaigns and initiatives to promote education, health, and peace in the country.
What are your thoughts on Anwar ul Haq Kakar as Pakistan’s new caretaker prime minister? Do you think he will be able to conduct fair and credible elections in 2023? Share your views with us in the comments section below.