Anwarul Haq Kakar sworn in as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister

Anwarul Haq Kakar was on Monday sworn in as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister to head a neutral political set-up to run the cash-strapped country and conduct the next general elections.

Kakar, the 52-year-old first-time Senator, is an ethnic Pushtun from Balochistan and a member of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) -- a party considered close to the powerful establishment of the country.

He was administered oath of the office by President Arif Alvi in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr (the President House) in Islamabad. He became the 8th interim prime minister of Pakistan.

Ahead of taking oath, Kakar resigned from the upper house of Parliament.

Kakar's name was agreed upon during the final day of consultations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Leader of the Opposition in the dissolved National Assembly, Raja Riaz Ahmad on Saturday.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani on Monday accepted Kakar's resignation from the Senate ahead of the latter's swearing-in as the caretaker prime minister.

A day earlier, Kakar announced his resignation from the Senate as well as the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which he founded in 2018.

According to sources Kakar stepped down from his post because he wanted to be an impartial interim premier.

Since it was his responsibility to hold free and fair general elections in cooperation with the Election Commission of Pakistan, he had decided to resign.

A notification issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday notified Kakar's resignation.

Anwaarul Haq Kakar, a member Senate of Pakistan, has resigned his seat, as his principled stance of neutrality on becoming the caretaker prime minister, by writing under his hand in person before the Senate chairman, the notification said.

The honourable Senate chairman has been pleased to accept the resignation and consequently his seat has become vacant in terms of clause (1) of Article 64 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with effect from August 14, it added.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Sharif expressed confidence that Kakar would ensure fair elections. He said the trust reposed by all parties in Kakar's name proves their proper choice as the upcoming caretaker Prime Minister is an educated person and a patriot.

According to Sharif, Kakar was decided upon under a constitutional process as he was the most suitable person to head the interim set-up.