Islamabad: Just one day following his appointment as the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, Anwarul Haq Kakar affirmed his commitment to conducting "free and fair elections" in the nation. Alongside his appointment, Kakar also announced his resignation from both the Senate and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), citing his responsibility to ensure impartial elections as the primary rationale behind this decision, according to a report by Dawn via Geo News.

Kakar, in his statement shared through his social media 'X' handle (formerly Twitter), conveyed his dedication to his newly assumed role. He stated, "In light of the crucial responsibility bestowed upon me as the caretaker prime minister, I have made the choice to relinquish my membership with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and step down from my Senate position."

Meanwhile, Balochistan National Party leader Akhtar Mengal, a significant ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), expressed discontent over Kakar's appointment without prior consultation with allies. In a letter addressed to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Mengal expressed his frustration with the decision-making process, asserting that it created a divide between the Balochistan National Party-Mengal and PML-N.

Mengal further criticized the alignment between PML-N and the military establishment, indicating that this approach was detrimental to genuine political involvement. He underscored that Pakistan's history of military intervention should not be forgotten, emphasizing the need to prioritize politicians over military consultations in the nation's affairs.

Anwarul Haq Kakar's selection as the caretaker prime minister followed consultations between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz, the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly. Kakar, a member of the Balochistan Awami Party, was chosen to fulfill this crucial role during a period of transition.

During a farewell ceremony at the Prime Minister's House prior to Kakar's announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed the view that a hybrid system promoting the nation's advancement would be most effective. Kakar's commitment to ensuring impartial elections amid political shifts is expected to shape the coming months leading up to the elections.