Timely elections interim govt's biggest priority: PM Kakar

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan is safe in prison, ARY News reported.

PTI Chairman Khan was arrested from his Lahore residence on August 5 after he was slapped with a five-year disqualification and a three-year prison term in the Toshakhana criminal case.

In an interview with a private channel, PM Kakar questioned why the caretaker government is being labeled as biased. He asked that did the caretaker government imprison former prime minister Imran Khan?

PM Kakar said that the PTI chief was arrested legally and he is facing cases against him in court.

Imran Khan was arrested before the caretaker government took charge, he added. The premier said, “Think 10 times before leveling allegations.”

PM Kakar referred to the May 9 incidents in the country and said if the people attack an institution which was responsible for saving the country from anarchy should be tried in courts as per the law.

As regards the government’s appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down military trials of civilians, he said it was quite justified as if anybody attacked any military installation, he or she must be tried in military courts.

As regards the Afghanistan issue, he said the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was operating from Afghan soil.

He said even a single Pakistani citizen’s life was precious to him and the state was also constitutionally bound to protect its citizens.He said there had been a lot of terrorist activities by the TTP from across the border.

To a question as to why Pakistan was not initiating the negotiation process with the TTP, the prime minister said if the TTP really wanted to go on the table with Pakistan, they must have to put down their arms first.

He said all Afghans, irrespective of creed and caste were equally important for Pakistan as both nations had centuries-old cultural and religious relations.

However, he said the state would show zero tolerance for those engaged in terrorist activities in the country.

As regards repatriation of Afghan refugees, PM Kakar maintained it was a difficult decision, however, he made it clear that only illegally registered Afghans were asked to leave the country.

He however clarified that the government had asked the Afghans living in Pakistan without legal documents to repatriate to their country and then come back with legal documents so that they could live in Pakistan legally and respectfully.

With respect to the Palestine issue, the prime minister said during the special meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held recently in Saudi Arabia, all the Muslim leaders were unanimous to force the international powers to ensure a ceasefire and open human corridor in Gaza and the West Bank.

Responding to a question regarding progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), PM Kakar said a significant work had been done during three months of the caretakers. He said China was going for the second phase of its grand Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of which Pakistan was an important part.

China, he said wanted that there should be more coordination and cooperation in this regard and they wanted Pakistan to grab maximum benefit from this opportunity.

As regards security of the Chinese citizens in Pakistan, the prime minister expressed the government’s firm resolve to curb all kinds of violence in the country. “Our security forces have full capacity to handle violence,” the prime minister maintained.

Moreover, caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar that holding timely elections is the biggest priority of the interim government so that the newly elected government can come into power and serve the nation.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday notified general elections on February 8, 2024.

According to details, the Election Commission of Pakistan issued a notification of the date of the general election under Section 57 of the Election Act۔

The notification said that in light of the Supreme Court’s order, the general elections will take place on February 8, 2024.