Pakistan is in political turmoil after the dissolution of the National Assembly and the appointment of a new caretaker prime minister. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in on August 14, 2023, and he now faces the daunting task of leading the country to elections in October.
Kakar is a relative newcomer to politics, and he has no prior experience in government. He is a retired general who served as the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2016 to 2019. His appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising his military background and others expressing concern about his lack of political experience.
Kakar’s first challenge will be to restore stability to the country. Pakistan has been rocked by political instability in recent months, and the dissolution of the National Assembly has only added to the uncertainty. Kakar will need to work with the country’s political parties to build consensus and create a roadmap for the upcoming elections.
Another challenge facing Kakar is the economy. Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis, and Kakar will need to take steps to address the rising inflation and unemployment. He will also need to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package.
Kakar’s appointment is a temporary measure, but he will play a critical role in shaping the future of Pakistan. He will need to navigate the country through a period of political and economic turmoil, and his success will depend on his ability to build consensus and get things done.
In addition to the challenges mentioned above, Kakar will also need to deal with the following issues:
- The ongoing threat of terrorism
- The rise of religious extremism
- The Kashmir conflict with India
Kakar is a daunting task ahead of him, but he is a capable and experienced leader. He has the skills and experience necessary to lead Pakistan through this difficult time. Only time will tell whether he will be successful, but he is off to a good start.
