Tag: PM Kakar

  • ‘Sports should be kept away from politics’; PM Kakar concerned over visa issue

    ‘Sports should be kept away from politics’; PM Kakar concerned over visa issue

    In the midst of a visa delay affecting Pakistani cricket fans and journalists attempting to attend the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Interim Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar emphasized the importance of keeping sports separate from politics.

    In a recent interview on the YouTube channel “Talk Shock”, the Premier talked to journalists Azaz Syed and Umer Cheema, staying that, “Sports should be kept away from politics.”

    He went on to express a sentiment of cooperation, saying that, “If the World Cup was held in Pakistan, we would’ve issued visas to India.”

    Prime Minister Kakar also extended his best wishes to the Pakistan cricket team, hoping that their performance would bring pride to the nation.

    Read More: Was there a five-ball over during the match between Pakistan and Netherlands?

    As of now, the Indian government has not granted visas to Pakistani cricket fans and journalists. This marks the first time since the 1975 World Cup that no Pakistani journalist is present in the press gallery at an ICC Cricket World Cup event.

  • Free and fair elections can be held without Imran, says PM Kakar

    Free and fair elections can be held without Imran, says PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, has said that free and fair elections can be held in the country without Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated in Attock jail in the cipher case.

    “Free and fair elections can take place without [Imran] Khan or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities, including vandalism and arson,” said PM Kakar in an interview on Friday with The Associated Press.

    PM Kakar dismissed the possibility that the military establishment would manipulate the results to ensure that PTI doesn’t win as “absolutely absurd”.

    Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that elections would be held by the end of January next year.

    Kakar said that once the ECP sets an exact election date, the caretaker government “will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements”.

    Imran Khan faces multiple charges in court including May 9 riots when PTI workers clashed with police. Some of the PTI workers were involved in the violent protests and attacks on military installations in different cities of the country.

    PM Kakar also said that the arrested PTI workers are involved in violent protests, attacks on military installations, and other illegal activities.

    “Thousands of PTI activists who did not engage in unlawful activities can partake in the upcoming elections,” he added.

  • PM Kakar ordered to appear before court over fuel price increase

    PM Kakar ordered to appear before court over fuel price increase

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has received summons on Tuesday from a civil court in Gujranwala over the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products.

    Judge Mohammad Awais summoned the caretaker PM, secretary petroleum, and Gujranwala commissioner against the hike in petrol prices.

    Advocate Manzoor Qadir filed a petition on September 16 asking for a stay order on the decision of the caretaker government to increase fuel prices. According to the petition, the caretaker prime minister and other officials are “concerned parties” and responsible for the price hike.

    The court has ordered the caretaker prime minister and other officials to appear before the court on September 20 (Wednesday).

    The caretaker government had increased the petrol price by more than Rs 26 and the diesel price by over Rs 17 per litre last week.

    According to the Finance Ministry, the decision was taken due to the increase in oil prices in the international market.

  • PM Kakar wants Islamabad and Kabul to collaborate on shared objectives

    PM Kakar wants Islamabad and Kabul to collaborate on shared objectives

    Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the interim Prime Minister, has urged his Afghan counterpart in a letter to cooperate in order to accomplish shared objectives, The News reported on Monday.

    The letter from PM Kakar to Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund, the acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan, comes as tensions between the two nations are rising as a result of an increase in cross-border terror incidents.

    In his letter, PM Kakar said: “Pakistan has close fraternal relations with Afghanistan, as we are neighbours and brothers. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are rooted in religion, culture, and history.”

    The Premier declared that Kabul and Islamabad will continue to work together to strengthen bilateral, political, security, and economic ties.

    Earlier, Pakistan accused the Afghanistan government of misusing the transit trade agreement.

    “It is important for our customs authorities to ensure that any border trade that takes place complies with the understandings and agreements that exist between Pakistan and Afghanistan and that such commercial activities do not contravene Pakistani laws,” the Foreign Office had said.

  • President Alvi has no power to announce the election date, says PM Kakar

    President Alvi has no power to announce the election date, says PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said on Monday that President Arif Alvi has no right to announce a date for general elections as it is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    Multiple sources have told different media outlets that President Arif Alvi is set to announce the election date.

    Earlier in the day, during their second meeting in ten days, President Alvi had a discussion on the election schedule with the caretaker law minister.

    According to sources in the president’s house, the idea that President Alvi will choose a date for the upcoming general election is “wrong”, confirming that discussions on polls are still going on.

    However, PM Kakar said in an interview that, according to the law, ECP has the power to announce the election date.

    The caretaker PM further said that “We have no intention to prolong the tenure of the caretaker government.”

  • PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    PM Kakar nahi jantay kisko mil rahi hai muft bijli?

    Interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar recently gave a statement that only Wapda’s employees, including retired ones, get free electricity and there is no such facility available for anyone else including judges. This statement is factually incorrect.

    Truth is that not only utility bills (including electricity bills) of the serving judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are paid by the government, but the retired ones also get free electricity of up to 2000 units a month in case of an ex-SC judge and 800 units a month in case of a former high court judge, as per Ansar Abbasi’s report for Geo news.

    Not only this, the president and prime minister also enjoy free utilities including free electricity without any limits but in the case of the ex-president, he is provided 2000 units a month of electricity at the cost of taxpayers’ money.

    President’s Salary, Allowance and Privileges Act, 1975 as amended in 2018 says in Section 7 that the actual charges for electricity and gas consumption shall be paid in each year to the president. After retirement, the president also gets gas to the extent of monthly consumption of 10 HM3 and water, all paid by taxpayers.

    Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also enjoys similar facilities as those of a Supreme Court judge, including free electricity. There is no confirmation of what the prime minister has claimed about services’ chiefs.

    In October 2020, Justice Faez Isa and his wife released income tax and asset details in which it was clearly written that post-retirement benefits of a Supreme Court judge include 2000 units of electricity, 25 HM of gas, water and 300 litres of petrol per month.

    High Court Judges (Leave, pension, privileges) order 1997 not only talks about the payment by government for provision of electricity gas and water but also says in Section 28 that a judge on retirement and after his death, the spouse shall be entitled to certain benefits including 800 units of electricity per month as well as 25 HM3 of gas per month.

    All those quasi-judicial public offices including the offices of NAB chairman, federal ombudsman etc where retired judges, or retired civil servants are appointed, the residence utility bills are also paid from the public funds.

    According to a NAB document, “i) Chairman NAB shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of a residence provided by the Government throughout his term of office maintained at Government expenses with all utilities to be paid on actual basis by the Government. ii) In case of non-availability of Government accommodation or the Chairman chooses to reside in a private residence, the expenses on maintenance and all utilities as per actual, will be paid by the Government, in addition to house rent allowance.”

  • Relief plan for electricity bills to be revealed in 48 hours: PM Kakar

    Relief plan for electricity bills to be revealed in 48 hours: PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar made an announcement on Thursday, revealing that his administration will unveil a relief plan for addressing the widespread protests triggered by escalating electricity bills within 48 hours.

    PM Kakar informed me that his government conducted an exhaustive review of electricity bills spanning the last two months. He highlighted that all institutions were questioned regarding their utilisation of complimentary electricity and stressed that the issue of exorbitant electricity bills needed a measured perspective.

    According to Geo, the caretaker prime minister underscored that while the electricity bills must be settled, it is imperative to comply with the terms outlined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He attributed the surge in electricity bills to independent power producers (IPPs) and transmission line losses, emphasising that collaboration with the IMF was underway to address the matter. Despite the prevalent inflation, PM Kakar argued against an extensive strike.

    In addressing the allocation of free electricity units, PM Kakar assured that the military does not avail itself of free electricity; rather, it is funded through the defence budget.

    Additionally, he clarified that the judiciary does not enjoy complimentary electricity, and in the Wapda sector, only certain employees from grades 1 to 16 benefit from this provision. Employees in grades above 17 receive free units.

    PM Kakar expressed his perspective that most protests originate from employees in grades 1–16. He suggested redirecting financial assistance towards officers in grades 17 to 22 instead of offering free electricity. He emphasised the need for stakeholders to formulate a policy within the following 48 hours.

    Regarding the impending general elections, PM Kakar assured that the elections would occur as scheduled, with the understanding that the Election Commission of Pakistan holds the authority in this matter. He asserted that adherence to the interpretation of the law by the Supreme Court is essential and should be respected.

    Frustrated citizens, grappling with soaring inflation, have been participating in demonstrations against substantial increases in electricity tariffs and heightened taxes nationwide.

    In light of the ongoing public outcry over exorbitant electricity bills, the caretaker government is contemplating the possibility of allowing individuals burdened by inflation to settle bills for up to 400 units in six-month installments. This proposal emerged following discussions held during a cabinet meeting, which also addressed the influence of IMF conditions on elevated energy costs.

    During the session, caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar updated the attendees about ongoing negotiations with the IMF, highlighting its pivotal role in the escalated energy tariffs.

  • PM Kakar congratulates Arshad Nadeem on his win

    PM Kakar congratulates Arshad Nadeem on his win

    Star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history on Sunday when he became the first Pakistani to win the first-ever silver medal for his country at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary with his best 87.82-meter throw.

    India’s Neeraj Chopra was able to secure the gold medal with his best throw of 88.17 meters.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar took to X (former Twitter) and congratulated Arshad Nadeem as he became the first Pakistani to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship.

    It was the Nadeem’s third throw that was the biggest breakthrough as it reached as far as 87.82 meters — his season’s best.

    Arshad Nadeem celebrated his win by stating, “What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships.”

    Pakistani cricketer and former team captain Mohammad Hafeez said, “Proud of u.”

    Hassan Cheema, selection committee secretary and manager analytics and team strategy for the national cricket team men’s side, said: “Grew up watching Diamond Leagues & World Championships on Super Sports without ever expecting to see a Pakistani face in it ever. Today we’ve got a medal!! ”

    Pakistanis all around the world are celebrating this win and are looking forward to many more.

  • Local singer sings request to PM Kakar, gets his wish

    Local singer sings request to PM Kakar, gets his wish

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has ordered the restoration of the Panjra bridge in the Bolan area of Balochistan, on the poetic appeal of local singer Gul Meer Jamali.

    The bridge was swept away in July 2022 as biblical floods swept across Pakistan.

    “Orders have been issued to the institutions concerned for the reconstruction of Panjara Bridge,” the interim PM wrote on his official X handle on Friday.

    Kakar ordered the restoration of the bridge after listening to the song sung by local singer Gul Meer Jamali.

    The song went viral on social media, with the singer appealing to the PM to restore the bridge and “fulfil his responsibility towards Balochistan”.

    The Panara Bridge was used to pass the Bolan River on the Quetta-Sukkur Highway.

  • Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    On Wednesday morning, Jaranwala, Faisalabad, became the site of communal violence as multiple churches were burnt amid allegations of blasphemy against two Christian community members. Mobs attacked churches and residential houses along with office of the assistant commissioner of Jaranwala. As yet, Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area along with multiple houses have been burnt. Christian colonies all around the city have been evacuated, while the Lahore-Multan motorway was also blocked by protestors amid a complete shutter down in the city.

    Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has asked all law enforcement to apprehend the culprits & bring them to justice and given assurances that stern action will be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.

    Politicians from different political parties of Pakistan have raised their concerns, condemned the incident, and shown solidarity with the Christian community of Pakistan.

    Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident while saying that government should take action against the culprits.

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged the administration to ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches.

    The Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, said, “We call for restoring calm & order.”

    Senator Sarfraz Bugti tweeted, “Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes.”

    Former Interior Minister of Pakistan and President of PMLN Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said, “The culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, and the law should take its due course.”

    Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, tweeted that there is no space in Islam for violence.

    Politician and activist Ammar Ali Jan stated that the police is helpless in front of bigots.