Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, from Balochistan province, takes on a country that has been wracked by political and economic instability for months, with Imran Khan, the country’s most popular opposition politician in jail.
Kakar was confirmed by President Arif Alvi as the choice of the outgoing coalition government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, and opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmad.
Kakar, 52, will lead Pakistan through to general and provincial elections due by November, but which some officials have already said will be delayed until next year.
All you need to know about Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar:
- Kakar was elected as an independent senator from Balochistan in 2018, clinching a six-year term that will conclude in March 2024.
- He is also the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and a member of the Business Advisory Committee, Finance and Revenue, Foreign Affairs and Science and Technology.
- Kakar is the parliamentary leader for the
Balochistan Awami Party — formed in 2018 — within the Senate. - He served as the spokesperson for the Balochistan government from December 2015 to January 2018.
- According to the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research (CSCR), an Islamabad-based research institute, Kakar holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Balochistan.
- The institute also mentioned Kakar’s proficiency in English, Urdu, Persian, Pushto, Balochi, and Brahvi languages.
Wide consensus
Kakar’s name was finalised after several rounds of talks between all major Pakistani parties, and his appointment has been hailed across the political board.
PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi welcomed the development and congratulated Kakar. “PPP left it to PM Shehbaz to nominate [caretaker] PM with the consultation of opposition leader. Hope under his leadership Election Commission will conduct free and fair elections.”
PTI Senator Ali Zafar said Kakar is an “intelligent, articulate [and] reasonable man”. “[He] believes in politics of cooperation not confrontation: has always well represented the interests of Balauchistan [sic]. Wish him the best,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
Kakar and his cabinet will run the government until a national election is held and the winner can secure a parliamentary majority and select a new prime minister.
(With inputs from agencies)