In a major development, Balochistan Awami Party Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar has been chosen as the interim prime minister of Pakistan.
According to a press release issued by the PMO, PM Shehbaz and Riaz have sent advice regarding Kakar’s appointment as the caretaker prime minister to President Alvi. Shortly afterward, the president gave his assent to the advice under Article 224 A of the Constitution.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی نے انوار الحق کاکڑ کی بطور نگران وزیراعظم تعیناتی کی منظوری دے دی
صدر مملکت نے تعیناتی کی منظوری آئین کے آرٹیکل 224 ایک اے کے تحت کی pic.twitter.com/U8mGQXLZva
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 12, 2023
The decision comes after the second round of consultations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz. Subsequently, PM Shehbaz had expressed confidence that the name of the head of the interim set-up would be finalized by Saturday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Riaz said: “We decided that the interim prime minister would be from a smaller province”.
He said that Kakar’s name was suggested by him which was approved.
وزیرِ اعظم اور قائد حزب اختلاف کے مابین نگران وزیرِ اعظم کی تقرری پر حتمی مشاورتی عمل خوش اسلوبی سے مکمل
انوارالحق کاکڑ کے نام پر بطور نگران وزیرِ اعظم اتفاق.
*وزیرِ اعظم اور قائد حزب اختلاف نے مشترکہ طور پر دستخط کرکے ایڈوائس صدر پاکستان کو بھجوا دی.
وزیراعظم کا قائد حزب اختلاف…— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) August 12, 2023
Interestingly, there were reports that said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was insisting, through PM Shehbaz Sharif, on former finance minister Ishaq Dar to be picked as caretaker premier, and if not Dar, then former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Who is Anwaarul Haq Kakar?
Anwaarul Haq Kakar was elected as an independent senator from Balochistan in 2018, clinching a six-year term that will conclude in March 2024.
Simultaneously, he worked as chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and as a member of the Business Advisory Committee, Finance and Revenue, Foreign Affairs and Science and Technology.
Kakar also undertook the role of parliamentary leader for the Balochistan Awami Party — formed in 2018 — within the Senate.
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Kakar navigated this leadership position for a considerable five-year duration. Nonetheless, a mere five months ago, the party resolved to opt for new leadership, leading to his replacement.