Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has clarified that, as per the law, the decision regarding the date for general elections lies with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
During his first interview after assuming office, Prime Minister Kakar stated on Geo News programme ‘Jirga’ that there has been ambiguity regarding whether the responsibility to decide and announce the election date rests with the president or the ECP.
The issue arose after President Dr Arif Alvi invited Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja for a meeting last month to “fix an appropriate date” for the general elections. The ECP had expressed its inability to hold elections within the constitutionally mandated period due to the need for fresh delimitation of constituencies following the notification of the latest 2023 digital census.
However, a recent amendment to the Elections Act 2017 has empowered the ECP to unilaterally announce the dates for the polls without consulting the president.
Prime Minister Kakar reiterated that the Election Commission of Pakistan has the authority to decide the election date. He also mentioned that if the matter were to be taken to the superior judiciary, the legal consequence of the judgment would be binding.
Regarding the duration of the interim setup, Prime Minister Kakar assured that it would not be extended unconstitutionally. He clarified that the duration would be decided by the law and would be linked to the announcement of the polls’ schedule by the election commission.
Energy Conservation
Prime Minister Kakar discussed the prospect of early closure of markets in order to conserve energy. He mentioned that an execution plan for energy conservation would be implemented soon, pending an agreement between the Centre and the provinces.
The prime minister also addressed the recent increase in power bills and subsequent protests. He explained that the state is constrained by commitments to multilateral international financial institutions, which it must adhere to. He acknowledged issues with the country’s taxation and electricity production and distribution mechanisms.
Surge in Militancy
In response to questions about Pakistan’s policy towards terrorism and Afghanistan, Prime Minister Kakar stated that the US leaving behind war equipment in Afghanistan has played a significant role in the recent surge in militancy in the region. He warned that this rise in terrorism would not be limited to Pakistan but would spread throughout the region.
The prime minister emphasized that the surge in terrorism is due to the militants’ increased capacity to fight, not because of Pakistan’s policy. He added that negotiations and the use of force are both tools that the state can employ in dealing with Baloch militants.
Prime Minister Kakar assured that both approaches will be used as necessary.