Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed on Friday that the interim administration would prioritize upholding financial discipline. In his address to the inaugural meeting of the recently-inducted 24-member interim cabinet, Kakar conveyed his pride in assembling “one of the best teams.”
He expressed his optimism that with the help of the Almighty, the interim government would guide and lead the nation during this interim period. He acknowledged that their tenure is limited and that they don’t possess an indefinite mandate to serve the country. Recognizing the significant economic challenges the country is facing, he emphasized that his team’s focus would be on maintaining fiscal responsibility.
He highlighted their reverence for taxpayers’ money, which was the basis for the meeting they were currently conducting. Kakar underscored that the citizens’ tax contributions were meant to enable the government to deliver services and ensure a secure environment. He affirmed that their commitment would be demonstrated through actions rather than just words, for the duration of their mandate.
Furthermore, the caretaker PM asserted that their objective was to lay the groundwork for the continuation of the national and international commitments established by previous governments. He affirmed their intent to support new initiatives within the boundaries of the law and Constitution, specifically mentioning the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The previous day, President Dr. Arif Alvi administered the oath to the members of the caretaker PM’s cabinet. The cabinet encompasses individuals such as Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, who has taken up the role of finance minister, and Dr. Gohar Ejaz, who now holds the position of caretaker minister for commerce and industry. Sarfraz Bugti, a leader of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), has assumed the responsibilities of interim interior minister. The cabinet also features journalist Murtaza Solangi as the information minister and former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani as the foreign minister in the caretaker government.