Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasized the need for the nation to trust the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
Addressing concerns often linked to the country’s political history, he expressed his own confidence in the electoral process, stating, “I have no doubt about it.”
PM Kakar acknowledged the historical context, particularly referencing the general elections of the 70s, but refrained from considering them as a benchmark. He noted the transparency of those elections but pointed out the pre-determined nature of the outcomes.
Despite this, he expressed hope that the upcoming elections would be conducted free and fair, citing the arrangements in place.
Commenting on the caretaker government’s role, PM Kakar expressed optimism about delivering relatively better results, given the existing arrangements. He authorized the Election Commission’s commitment to the election schedule, denying any delays and emphasizing the importance of conducting the elections within the specified 56-day timeframe. According to the Election Commission, the schedule should be announced by December 14.
Regarding speculations about Imran Khan’s popularity decline and his potential exclusion from the electoral process, PM Kakar dismissed them as political analyses.
He emphasized that the elections themselves would be the true judgement of any political leader’s popularity. On the topic of Imran Khan’s participation, PM Kakar mentioned that there were currently no restrictions, and as of now, he and his party were in a position to contest the elections.
However, when asked about the possibility of unexpected developments, PM Kakar remained cautious, stating, “If something unusual comes up, I can’t say anything about it yet.” Nevertheless, he affirmed that, as of today, Imran Khan and his party were prepared to contest the upcoming elections.
PM Kakar concluded by reiterating support for the Election Commission and their commitment to conducting the elections as scheduled.
