It is mandate of ECP to announce a date for holding of general elections in the country: Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
ISLAMABAD, Sep 16 (SABAH): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue to raise Jammu and Kashmir dispute at all the global and regional forums.
In an interview with “Voice of America”, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar pointed out that this dispute is one of the oldest agenda item of the UN Security Council. The Prime Minister said there are gross human rights violations taking place in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The entire area has been turned into the largest prison in the world, while Kashmiris’ voices are stifled.
He said Pakistan has been consistently and regularly defending and advocating the Kashmir issue at all the available multilateral and regional fora.
The caretaker prime minister maintained that Pakistan is playing its part for durable peace in Afghanistan and the region. He said they are addressing Afghan transit issues including the illegal trade. He said trade ties are improving not only with Afghanistan but also with all the Central Asian Republics as they all realized the significance of regional trade connectivity.
To a question regarding terrorist attacks from Afghan soil, he said Pakistan reserved the right to defend against any terrorist activity and would take necessary steps to defend its people and land whenever needed.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan enjoys strong relations with the Arab, Gulf and other regional countries. He expressed the optimism that the relationship with the West would grow further in the coming years.
Responding to a question, the caretaker Prime Minister said it is mandate of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce a date for holding of general elections in the country. He reiterated that the interim government is ready to assist the ECP regarding provision of financial resources and security for the polls.
To another question, the Prime Minister said there is freedom of expression in the country and our indicators in the region are much better in this regard.
Meanwhile Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar says the accountability system is necessary for a functional democracy to keep a vigil on public office-holders, but any accountability process should not paralyse the system.
In an interview with a private news channel, he stressed the need to synchronize the functions of different layers of accountability and to define terms of reference for their powers.
Calling the NAB law amendments made by the previous parliament and struck down by the Supreme Court a “good legislation”, he said the government would decide its future course of action on the basis of law department’s recommendations.
About the crackdown against power theft and smuggling, the Prime Minister said a whole of government approach has been adopted with the provinces’ collaboration and the policy is bringing in positive outcomes.
He said besides acting against the power theft, the issues of non-payment and late payment of electricity dues would also be addressed under the ongoing drive.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said the government is in the process to rationalize the power sector to ensure that the electricity bills are not unbearable for the consumers.