<p>Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar hinted that he was picked by the country’s all-powerful military to helm the top post for the interim period until an elected government takes charge, and added that “he is not apologetic about it”.</p>

<p>Kakar’s remarks came during an interview with BBC.</p>

<p>When was asked whether the military had picked him to run the country until elections, that have been since&nbsp;postponed,&nbsp;are held in Pakistan, he replied, "I’m not being apologetic. I’m not trying to create the impression otherwise,” he said, adding, “I am just trying to illustrate the reasons why do people think that way.”</p>

<h2><strong>'Pak military better at governance'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Kakar categorically said that the Pakistani military has been better at governing the country than the civilian government.</p>

<p>“In my opinion, the issue is that the civil institutions, when they are assigned to deliver on account of the governance, they fail and they have deteriorated their capacity in the last four or five decades. And by design or default, on the other hand, the military as an organisation has gained strength. So, whenever a challenge occurs on account of the governance, the government has to rely on the military.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">‘I’m not being apologetic. I’m not trying to create the impression otherwise’<br />
<br />
Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/anwaar_kakar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anwaar_kakar</a> on whether he’s the military’s choice to run the country until the postponed elections take place <a href="https://t.co/4IhypZQDG3">pic.twitter.com/4IhypZQDG3</a></p>
— BBC HARDtalk (@BBCHARDtalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCHARDtalk/status/1707691018932375780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>When asked whether he was saying that the military was very strong in Pakistan, Kakar said, “Well pragmatically of course yes. That’s what exactly I’m saying.”</p>

<h2><strong>Can't keep Pak military out of polity&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is the second time in a week that Kakar has admitted that the military still wields significant influence in matters of security and foreign policy.</p>

<p>In an interview with the news channel TRT World, a Turkish public broadcaster, on Tuesday, when asked whether the Pakistani military will continue to play a major role in politics, Kakar said, “Pragmatically, realistically and honestly ... affirmative, yes.”</p>

<p>It is a well-established fact that the military holds significant power in the affairs of the government. The fact that the previous prime ministers have admitted this openly leads to an understanding why Pakistan, in its 75 years of existence, has seen so many coups.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar hinted that he was picked by the country’s all-powerful military to helm the top post for the interim period until an elected government takes charge, and added that “he is not apologetic about it”.

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar hinted that he was picked by the country’s all-powerful military to helm the top post for the interim period until an elected government takes charge, and added that “he is not apologetic about it”. Kakar’s remarks came during an interview with BBC. When was asked whether the military had picked him to run the country until elections, that have been since postponed, are held in Pakistan, he replied, "I’m not being apologetic. I’m not trying to create the impression otherwise,” he said, adding, “I am just trying to illustrate the reasons why do people think that way.” 'Pak military better at governance' Kakar categorically said that the Pakistani military has been better at governing the country than the civilian government. “In my opinion, the issue is that the civil institutions, when they are assigned to deliver on account of the governance, they fail and they have deteriorated their capacity in the last four or five decades. And by design or default, on the other hand, the military as an organisation has gained strength. So, whenever a challenge occurs on account of the governance, the government has to rely on the military.” ‘I’m not being apologetic. I’m not trying to create the impression otherwise’ Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister @anwaar_kakar on whether he’s the military’s choice to run the country until the postponed elections take place pic.twitter.com/4IhypZQDG3 — BBC HARDtalk (@BBCHARDtalk) September 29, 2023 × When asked whether he was saying that the military was very strong in Pakistan, Kakar said, “Well pragmatically of course yes. That’s what exactly I’m saying.” Can't keep Pak military out of polity This is the second time in a week that Kakar has admitted that the military still wields significant influence in matters of security and foreign policy. In an interview with the news channel TRT World, a Turkish public broadcaster, on Tuesday, when asked whether the Pakistani military will continue to play a major role in politics, Kakar said, “Pragmatically, realistically and honestly ... affirmative, yes.” It is a well-established fact that the military holds significant power in the affairs of the government. The fact that the previous prime ministers have admitted this openly leads to an understanding why Pakistan, in its 75 years of existence, has seen so many coups. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar says military very strong, ‘picked’ him for post

<p>Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday (September 22), brought up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and said that Kashmir is the key to peace between New Delhi and Islamabad.</p>

<p>Addressing the General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kakar said that Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all its neighbours, including India.</p>

<p>"Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours, including India. Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India," he said.</p>

<p>He then claimed that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the Security Council.</p>

<p>"Development depends on peace. Pakistan is situated in the least economically integrated region in the world. Pakistan believes that regions develop together therefore [the country] desires peaceful and productive relations with all neighbours, including India," he said.</p>

<p>Kakar then said that the UN Security Council must ensure the enactment of its resolutions on Kashmir and said that the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) should be "reinforced".</p>

<p>"Global powers should convince New Delhi to accept Pakistan's offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons," he said.</p>

<p>India has reiterated that it does want cordial neighbourly ties with Pakistan in a terror and violence-free environment.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-says-country-on-cusp-of-normalizing-ties-with-saudi-arabia-638668">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says country on 'cusp' of normalising ties with Saudi Arabia</a></p>

<p>New Delhi has repeatedly highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral part of India.</p>

<p>Tensions between the two countries escalated after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to overrule the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.</p>

<h2><strong>Peace in Afghanistan is strategic imperative for Pak, says Kakar</strong></h2>

<p>The Pakistan interim PM said that Pakistan shares the concerns of the international community with respect to Afghanistan particularly the rights of women and girls.</p>

<p>"Pakistan shares the concerns of the international community with respect to Afghanistan particularly the rights of women and girls. Yet, we advocate continued humanitarian assistance to a destitute Afghan population in which Afghan girls and women are the most vulnerable; as well as revival of the Afghan economy and implementation of the connectivity projects with Central Asia," he said.</p>

<p>"Pakistan's first priority is to prevent and counter all terrorism from and within Afghanistan. Pakistan condemns the cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistan by the TTP, Daesh and other groups operating from Afghanistan. We have sought Kabul's support and cooperation to prevent these attacks. However, we are also taking necessary measures to end this externally encouraged terrorism," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday (September 22), brought up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and said that Kashmir is the key to peace between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, on Friday (September 22), brought up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and said that Kashmir is the key to peace between New Delhi and Islamabad. Addressing the General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kakar said that Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all its neighbours, including India. "Pakistan desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours, including India. Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India," he said. He then claimed that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the Security Council. "Development depends on peace. Pakistan is situated in the least economically integrated region in the world. Pakistan believes that regions develop together therefore [the country] desires peaceful and productive relations with all neighbours, including India," he said. Kakar then said that the UN Security Council must ensure the enactment of its resolutions on Kashmir and said that the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) should be "reinforced". "Global powers should convince New Delhi to accept Pakistan's offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons," he said. India has reiterated that it does want cordial neighbourly ties with Pakistan in a terror and violence-free environment. Also read: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says country on 'cusp' of normalising ties with Saudi Arabia New Delhi has repeatedly highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral part of India. Tensions between the two countries escalated after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to overrule the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. Peace in Afghanistan is strategic imperative for Pak, says Kakar The Pakistan interim PM said that Pakistan shares the concerns of the international community with respect to Afghanistan particularly the rights of women and girls. "Pakistan shares the concerns of the international community with respect to Afghanistan particularly the rights of women and girls. Yet, we advocate continued humanitarian assistance to a destitute Afghan population in which Afghan girls and women are the most vulnerable; as well as revival of the Afghan economy and implementation of the connectivity projects with Central Asia," he said. "Pakistan's first priority is to prevent and counter all terrorism from and within Afghanistan. Pakistan condemns the cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistan by the TTP, Daesh and other groups operating from Afghanistan. We have sought Kabul's support and cooperation to prevent these attacks. However, we are also taking necessary measures to end this externally encouraged terrorism," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan's interim PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar raises Jammu and Kashmir issue in UNGA address

<p>Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has alleged that the May 9 violence was part of a wider effort to overthrow the government and target the serving army chief.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While speaking in an interview with Pakistan’s Geo News, he termed the violence "an attempted coup and civil war, the target of which was the serving army chief and his team in the military".</p>

<h2><strong>Kakar promises legal actions against May 9 protesters&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>He also condemned the riots that broke out following the arrest of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan in a graft case in May.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The vandalism and arson on May 9 were witnessed by the whole world and international newspapers reported the tragedy. This kind of manipulation is not acceptable in any form of government,” PM Kakar said.</p>

<p>He also assured that the strictest legal action would be taken against those who chose to violate the country’s laws and resort to violence to fulfil their political agenda. “If legal action is not taken against those who violated the country’s laws and resorted to violence, then we will be seen as a party to the matter,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan qualify for Super 4 after rain forces abandonment</strong></p>

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<p>Kakar is not the first Pakistani leader to blame Imran Khan for the May 9 violence. Former PM Shehbaz Sharif had also called Khan the ‘mastermind’ behind the unprecedented protests across Pakistan, saying that he aimed to topple the military leadership.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened on May 9?</strong></h2>

<p>Massive nationwide protests erupted in Pakistan after the arrest of Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), by paramilitary Rangers on May 9 in a corruption case. The protests soon turned violent, resulting in extensive damage to military installations, and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, and the destruction of over 100 police and security agency vehicles.</p>

<p>In the aftermath of the violent protests, law enforcement agencies detained more than 10,000 PTI supporters across Pakistan, with 4,000 of them arrested in Punjab province alone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-caretaker-pm-blames-us-for-strengthening-terrorists-in-the-region-631583"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan: Caretaker PM blames US for strengthening terrorists in the region</strong></a></p>

<p>Khan reported that over 16 PTI supporters lost their lives in the unrest, while police officially confirmed a death toll of 10.</p>

<p>Furthermore, Khan is currently entangled in a multitude of cases related to attacks on military installations, facing a staggering total of over 150 charges, spanning terrorism, murder, and blasphemy accusations.</p>

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Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has alleged that the May 9 violence was part of a wider effort to overthrow the government and target the serving army chief.

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has alleged that the May 9 violence was part of a wider effort to overthrow the government and target the serving army chief. While speaking in an interview with Pakistan’s Geo News, he termed the violence "an attempted coup and civil war, the target of which was the serving army chief and his team in the military". Kakar promises legal actions against May 9 protesters He also condemned the riots that broke out following the arrest of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan in a graft case in May. "The vandalism and arson on May 9 were witnessed by the whole world and international newspapers reported the tragedy. This kind of manipulation is not acceptable in any form of government,” PM Kakar said. He also assured that the strictest legal action would be taken against those who chose to violate the country’s laws and resort to violence to fulfil their political agenda. “If legal action is not taken against those who violated the country’s laws and resorted to violence, then we will be seen as a party to the matter,” he added. Watch: Pakistan qualify for Super 4 after rain forces abandonment × Kakar is not the first Pakistani leader to blame Imran Khan for the May 9 violence. Former PM Shehbaz Sharif had also called Khan the ‘mastermind’ behind the unprecedented protests across Pakistan, saying that he aimed to topple the military leadership. What happened on May 9? Massive nationwide protests erupted in Pakistan after the arrest of Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), by paramilitary Rangers on May 9 in a corruption case. The protests soon turned violent, resulting in extensive damage to military installations, and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, and the destruction of over 100 police and security agency vehicles. In the aftermath of the violent protests, law enforcement agencies detained more than 10,000 PTI supporters across Pakistan, with 4,000 of them arrested in Punjab province alone. Also read: Pakistan: Caretaker PM blames US for strengthening terrorists in the region Khan reported that over 16 PTI supporters lost their lives in the unrest, while police officially confirmed a death toll of 10. Furthermore, Khan is currently entangled in a multitude of cases related to attacks on military installations, facing a staggering total of over 150 charges, spanning terrorism, murder, and blasphemy accusations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Pakistan: Caretaker PM Kakar terms May 9 violence an ‘attempted coup’

<p>The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif&#39;s disqualification.</p>

<p>According to media reports, Abbasi&#39;s name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N&#39;s advisory meeting by all members on Saturday.</p>

<p>The final nomination will be recognised in the party&#39;s parliamentary meeting.</p>

<p>After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed.</p>

<p>Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif&#39;s ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008.</p>

<p>Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif&#39;s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan.</p>

<p>Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018.</p>

<p>Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif&#39;s disqualification.</p>

<p>The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months.</p>

<p>It is the second time in Pakistan&#39;s 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.</p>

<p>Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups.</p>

<p>While serving as the country&#39;s Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.&nbsp;</p>


Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. According to media reports, Abbasi's name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N's advisory meeting by all members on Saturday. The final nomination will be recognised in the party's parliamentary meeting. After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed. Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008. Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018. Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif's disqualification. The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months. It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari. Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups. While serving as the country's Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.

Pakistan: PML-N to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim PM