Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said the government’s commitment to counter the security challenges is a top priority ahead of the upcoming elections.
In an interview with a TV channel PM Kakar responded to a question about recent statements of JUI-F Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others.
Kakar said that basically, they were showing readiness for the elections, but shared their concerns regarding security issues like certain incidents of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Premier said that personnel of the security forces and other law enforcement personnel were sacrificing their lives in the fight against terrorism.
He also talked about the provision of security and the deployment of armed forces during the upcoming general elections.
Prime Minister said that when a request in this regard was received, the government would deliberate upon it after seeking input from the relevant departments.
PM Kakar further opined that the police force had capacity and resource-related challenges though they had performed well especially the KP police which had the lead role in countering terrorism. Still the police force had certain limitations to counter the threats of terrorism.
To a question, he said that before assuming the office, he had held meetings with the different political leaders.
He said after completing his tenure as caretaker prime minister, he would mull to join a political party if requested for.
Replying to another question regarding certain political figures appearing on Tv screens and announcing their political affiliations, the prime minister said those individuals had their own decisions and he could not give his opinion over their decisions.
Regarding PTI’s claims over denial of political activities, the caretaker prime minister said that if any specific complaint was moved before him, he would take it up.
Those who had not been involved in 9th May riots, there was no bar over their political and electoral participation, he said adding that the interim set up would ensure that there should be no injustice.
Prime Minister Kakar, to a query, said that he was also learning from the politicians as it was good to learn from one’s own and others mistakes.
He said Pakistan was facing governance challenges including the tax collection issue as the entire story revolved around it, adding that there might be a serious discourse over the efficiency of the social delivery system which ensured education, health and job opportunities. He said about huge losses in power sector had affected the national economy.
The prime minister said that when compared with the rest of the region, Pakistan had the minimum defence budget in which it was ensuring its security.
