Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has affirmed that Pakistan will conduct free and fair general elections, with no organizational or institutional favoritism toward any political party.

In an exclusive interview on TRT World’s The Newsmakers, PM Kakar discussed various aspects of Pakistan’s political landscape and foreign relations. Regarding the delimitation of constituencies, PM Kakar emphasized its constitutional requirement, asserting that adherence to this regulation is essential for upholding the supremacy of the constitution.

He also addressed the May 9 protests, acknowledging the right of people to express their sentiments within the bounds of the law but condemning vandalism and violence in the name of protests.

On the topic of alleged foreign interference in Pakistan’s political affairs, PM Kakar noted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had backtracked on its narrative of a foreign conspiracy. He expressed skepticism about such claims and mentioned that political leaders in some Asian states sometimes make such assertions for populist reasons. He affirmed that Khan’s ouster from power was constitutional.

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Discussing civil-military relations in Pakistan, PM Kakar acknowledged that some political leaders sought the military’s assistance for their political interests and later criticized the institution once out of power. He highlighted the military’s organizational capability and the need to rely on it to address governance challenges.

Regarding terrorism and relations with Afghanistan, PM Kakar stated that Pakistan has faced terrorist attacks for nearly 15 years and has employed kinetic and non-kinetic measures to counter them. He expressed concerns about banned organizations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) having training camps in Afghanistan. Despite challenges in Pakistan-Afghanistan relationships, he expressed hope in engaging with Afghans for the common interest of both nations.

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PM Kakar called for resolving the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) issue based on UN resolutions and emphasized Pakistan’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with all its neighbors while seeking peace with justice.

The interview provides insights into Pakistan’s electoral process, political stability, foreign relations, and regional security concerns.