Controversy Ignited By Pakistan Interim PM Kakar’s Election Remarks

Amid Pakistan’s deepening political crisis and worsening economic situation, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Kakar has stirred controversy with his recent comments regarding the upcoming general elections.

In an interview with a foreign wire service, Kakar suggested that fair elections could proceed without the participation of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and numerous detained leaders from his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Kakar stated that many members of Khan’s party who have not been involved in unlawful activities would be actively engaged in the political process and participating in the elections.

Read more : ECP Announces January 2024 Date For General Elections

Kakar made these remarks while in the United States to attend the UN General Assembly session, shortly after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that the general elections in the country would take place in the last week of January 2024.

Imran Khan, the Chairman of PTI, is currently in Attock Jail due to a case related to a missing diplomatic cipher that was allegedly in his possession. Khan contends that this is evidence of U.S. involvement in his removal from the prime minister’s office in April 2022.

When questioned, the interim prime minister emphasized that he would not interfere with court decisions regarding the reversal of Khan’s conviction. He stressed that the judiciary should not be manipulated for political gains.

Kakar stated, “We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta, but yes, we will ensure that the law is upheld. Anyone, whether it’s Imran Khan or any other politician who violates the country’s laws in terms of their political behavior, must face legal consequences. We cannot equate that with political discrimination.”

He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan in organizing the elections and dismissed the notion that the military would manipulate the election results to ensure Khan’s exclusion from the race.

Previously, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had called for a “level-playing field” for all political parties.

In a strongly worded statement, PTI expressed that the people would not accept elections without Imran Khan and his party leaders. The party criticized Kakar’s statement, describing it as an example of insensitivity within the state structure toward the constitution, democracy, and national interests.

PTI emphasized its position as the largest political party in Pakistan and the sole representative party at the federal level, with Imran Khan being the most popular political leader in the country according to various popularity criteria.

The party declared that any election conducted without the involvement of Khan or PTI would be considered “unconstitutional, illegal, and immoral,” and the people would refuse to accept it. They warned that such elections, resulting from exclusionary and undemocratic methods, always have disastrous consequences.

PTI called on Kakar to clarify his statement immediately and demanded that the caretaker prime minister disassociate his government from any alleged plans of exclusion.