Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced on Monday that Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are planning to invest $25 billion each in various projects within the next two to five years.
During a conversation with foreign journalists at his office, the prime minister emphasized that his government’s focus is primarily on restructuring fiscal and monetary policies to create a foundation for economic rejuvenation, without overhauling the government structure.
He highlighted the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a key component of their economic revival strategy, with a focus on sectors like agriculture, mining, defense production, and information technology.
PM Kakar also mentioned the strong working relationship between his interim government and the military, emphasizing their collaborative efforts towards economic revival.
Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he expressed that the people of Balochistan welcome CPEC projects irrespective of political affiliations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese workers involved in CPEC projects.
Discussing the vast copper and gold reserves valued at $6 trillion in Balochistan, he mentioned that the Reko Diq project is set to begin soon, and he encouraged stakeholders to develop a model for exploring this mineral-rich area, projecting Pakistan in a new light to the world.
The prime minister also assured that his government is actively exploring practical solutions to address electricity-related issues while honoring international commitments with financial institutions. He acknowledged challenges like circular debt, power theft, and taxation, and stressed the importance of introducing short-term solutions while preserving the people’s interests.
Regarding elections, PM Kakar stated that the interim government’s primary mandate is to facilitate general elections as soon as possible, adhering to constitutional obligations. Delimitation, as per the Constitution following the population census, is part of this process.
He further emphasized providing a level playing field for all registered political parties to participate in the upcoming general elections, ensuring fair competition without discrimination. However, he also noted that any disruptive behavior would be dealt with according to the country’s existing laws.
Regarding the May 9 riots, he considered the attack on military installations as an attempt to disrupt society. He supported lawful measures to counter such actions.
Regarding the rise in terror attacks, PM Kakar pointed to the surplus military equipment left behind by the US and allied forces in Afghanistan, which he viewed as a threat to peace. He called for a coordinated approach to address this challenge.
Lastly, he emphasized the deep-rooted cultural, faith-based, and social ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, highlighting Pakistan’s generosity toward Afghan refugees. The government is working on a policy to address the issue of illegal immigrants.
