Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar says transparent elections can be held even if Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan or hundreds of members of the party are in jail.
During an interview with an American news agency, Kakar emphasized that those incarcerated PTI members had engaged in unlawful acts such as vandalism and arson.
He added that thousands of PTI members who are not involved in such illicit activities would still have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming elections.
Kakar clarified that he is not seeking personal vendettas against any politician, including Imran Khan. His commitment is to uphold the rule of law, ensuring that anyone found breaking it faces the consequences.
The caretaker prime minister expressed optimism about the general elections taking place in the new year. He dismissed allegations of the military rigging elections to hinder PTI’s success, stating that there is no reason for the Chief Election Commissioner to be biased against Imran Khan.
He emphasized that if PTI’s chairman or any other politician violates the law, they will face legal repercussions, and he will not intervene in the judicial process. Kakar also noted that issues surrounding the close relationship between the army and the government are merely political dynamics, and his focus is on improving the performance of civilian institutions.
Regarding the situation in Kashmir, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar highlighted that India has deployed a large number of soldiers in Occupied Kashmir, leaving the Kashmiri people without political rights. He questioned whether the international community would show the same indifference if Kashmir were located in Europe or America, emphasizing that the Kashmiri people must have the autonomy to decide their identity and future.
Turning to Afghanistan, Kakar mentioned the existence of significant security challenges in the region. While the Taliban have engaged with Kabul authorities, progress has been slow. Regional leaders are discussing the international recognition of the Taliban government, and Kakar advocated for building consensus and finding common ground in addressing the situation.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
