On Thursday, Pakistan swore in a caretaker government led by interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, tasked with governing the nation until new elections, which may not take place until after November due to the need to redrew constituency lines.
With Pakistan’s $350 billion economy traveling a narrow recovery path following a last-minute $3 billion bailout arrangement from the International Monetary Fund, preventing a sovereign debt default, the caretaker cabinet’s first priority will be to guide the country towards economic stabilization.
According to state television, the electoral commission announced on Thursday that new constituencies based on the most recent census would be finalized by 14 December. The commission will then confirm the date of the election.
According to electoral experts, this procedure could cause the national election to be delayed by many months, possibly until February. Elections must be held in accordance with the constitution 90 days after the lower house of parliament is dissolved, which in this situation would be early November.
According to the new communications minister Murtaza Solangi, the former head of the central bank, Shamshad Akhtar, has been nominated finance minister in the temporary government, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, has been chosen foreign minister.
The economy continues to be the biggest obstacle for the interim administration and its successor. Inflation and interest rates are at historic highs as a result of recent economic reforms, placing pressure on regular people and businesses.
After President Arif Alvi dissolved parliament last week on the suggestion of outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kakar, a little-known politician who is thought to be sympathetic to the military, was sworn in by himself on Monday.
Political observers claim that if the caretaker setup continues past its legal limit, the military, which has directly administered the nation for more than three decades of its 76-year history, will have more time to consolidate power.
As Imran Khan’s opposition party gained support, it charged Sharif’s alliance with attempting to avoid holding elections. Khan is currently in custody after being found guilty of crimes related to the sale of state gifts.
Khan has asserted his innocence, and his attorneys have filed appeals against the conviction.
According to Sharif’s administration, holding elections in light of the most recent census is a constitutional duty, so it is not dragging its feet.
Other names in the government include Mishaal Malik, the wife of imprisoned Kashmiri leader Yaseen Malik, and former provincial minister Sarfaraz Bugti as interior minister.
