ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that law enforcement agencies will determine whether Nawaz Sharif, can be arrested in accordance with the law. Kakar emphasized that the decision regarding PMLN’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s arrest or freedom of movement would rest with the leadership of the judicial process and law enforcement.
He was responding to questions during a talk show on a private TV channel about growing concerns about Nawaz Sharif’s potential arrest upon his return to Pakistan from London after over four years of self-imposed exile.
Prime Minister Kakar said that he did not have the authority to decide whether the PML-N supremo would be imprisoned or allowed to move freely. The government, however, would intervene if it believed that the two entities were defying the law.
Nawaz Sharif’s Conviction
A day earlier, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had announced in London that Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan on October 21, ending his over four years of self-imposed exile in the UK. Nawaz Sharif had been serving a seven-year imprisonment at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018 before being allowed to proceed to London in 2019 on “medical grounds.”
Regarding the treatment of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was brought to court in handcuffs for proceedings in a cipher case, the Prime Minister stated that he had a cordial relationship with Qureshi. He noted that it needed to be determined whether the law allowed anyone to be handcuffed, and if it did, then it was correct.
Commenting on ongoing actions against smuggling, Prime Minister Kakar also mentioned that they had identified officials and political figures involved in smuggling and illegal trade activities at the federal and provincial levels. Relevant authorities were gathering evidence against them, which would be presented in court, leading to their conviction. He assured that stern action would be taken against all those involved in such activities.
Regarding illegal dollar trading, Kakar explained that they had taken stringent measures to halt the trade physically and through the enforcement of contemporary laws. He highlighted the change in terminology from “illegal trading” to “illicit trade” and mentioned their progress in curbing such activities.
The Prime Minister further discussed efforts to strengthen the Pakistani rupee and expressed optimism about its future stability. He also commented on the possibility of holding elections in mid-January or by the end of January, leaving the decision to the Election Commission. He reiterated the caretaker setup’s readiness to support the electoral process.
In terms of economic revival, Prime Minister Kakar praised the current Chief of Army Staff for contributing to the national economy and emphasized the importance of capacity building for civil institutions facing challenges. He stressed the need for financial reforms in political party manifestos to maintain economic stability.
Regarding the May 9 incidents, Kakar questioned the logic of setting one’s own house on fire out of anger. He said that he was part of the PTI, he would condemn such actions and pulled out the party away from the vandalism. He expressed his belief that political parties had the right to acquire political power through legal means without violating constitutional and legal provisions.
On the issue of trials involving the PTI chief, Kakar stated that such matters should be left to the courts to decide.
