Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar called for the establishment of a coalition to address what he referred to as India’s “unruly conduct” in the aftermath of the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, an incident for which Ottawa has accused New Delhi.
He emphasized that the brutal murder of the Khalistan Movement Sikh leader in Canada had startled Western nations and raised significant concerns about the involvement of the Indian state.
Speaking to the press at the Pakistan Mission in New York, the prime minister pointed out that Pakistan has been a target of state-sponsored terrorism and has presented evidence of India’s role in such incidents on the global and multilateral stage.
Furthermore, he noted that countries are increasingly recognizing India’s persecution of its religious minorities, including Christians, Sikhs, and Muslims.
Responding to a question, Kakar mentioned that he had also held meetings with various business organizations in the United States, which displayed interest in Pakistan’s plans for economic revitalization.
Regarding IMF
Regarding his discussions with the Managing Director of the IMF, the interim prime minister characterized them as productive and expressed hope that the incoming elected government would continue with the economic plan.
He added, “The IMF expressed its appreciation for the interim government’s actions to combat illicit dollar trading,” clarifying that the IMF had not made specific demands but had been reassured by the caretaker government’s commitment to honoring agreements. He further stated that the upcoming elected government would engage in further negotiations with the IMF in line with their manifesto.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the interim government was dedicated to providing relief to the general public.
Responding to another query, he mentioned that the caretaker administration had taken effective measures against the sugar and wheat mafias through administrative intervention. He pointed out that there was no shortage of these commodities in the country, as various food items were readily available. However, he acknowledged that prices of certain goods were influenced by the international market.
Regarding Afghanistan
The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan had multifaceted engagements with the Afghan interim government and expressed hope that these interactions would yield beneficial outcomes for both nations.
He further assured that Pakistan would take all necessary steps to safeguard its territory and citizens whenever required, emphasizing Islamabad’s respect for Afghanistan’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.
Regarding Pakistan-US relations
The Prime Minister described their historical ties as highly constructive and predicted that they would continue to strengthen. He also noted the positive contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States to community development.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan had its unique identity and should be viewed in that light, rather than through regional or other contexts.
Regarding his meeting with Iranian President
Ebrahim Raisi, PM Kakar elaborated that they had discussed mutual priorities and engaged in productive negotiations.
The Prime Minister also stated that Pakistan had effectively responded to the Jaranwala incident. In contrast, he criticized the Indian state for acting as a bystander, if not an accomplice, in the Manipur violence, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. He noted that both he and the current Chief Justice of Pakistan had visited Jaranwala and made efforts to defuse the situation, with the army chief also taking a public stance on the issue.
Responding to a question about the general elections
He clarified that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had the mandate to conduct the elections, and the final date would be announced soon. Kakar added that all registered political parties had the right to participate, as the ECP had not banned any party from the process.
Dismissing the notion of victimization, the Prime Minister asserted that anyone involved in violence against the state would be dealt with according to the country’s laws, as Pakistan was a sovereign state.
The interim Prime Minister also expressed Pakistan’s desire for constructive engagement with Russia and highlighted the potential for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries. However, he stressed that Pakistan did not favor military solutions to conflicts and instead advocated for dialogue as a means of resolution.
Kakar condemned the persecution of Muslims in IIOJK (Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir), describing it as “genocide,” a term he had also used in his address at the UNGA. He lamented the thousands of Kashmiris killed, women subjected to rape, and the extrajudicial killing of innocent Kashmiris.
Responding to another question, he revealed that out of approximately 5 million refugees in Pakistan, around 2.8 million were legal refugees, while the rest lacked legal documentation. As a result, the government had decided to facilitate their repatriation through administrative intervention.
The Prime Minister dismissed the idea that Pakistan was isolated on the world stage, asserting that during his interactions with world leaders, he had observed a growing interest in Pakistan.
He also highlighted his engagements on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
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