- Says state is capable enough to combat outlawed group not for a year but century
- Debunks any notions of registered Afghan refugees being expelled from Pakistan
PESHAWAR: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday unequivocally ruled out any possibility of negotiations with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying that Pakistani nation is resolute in its capacity to combat the ‘miscreants’ for the long haul.
PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar Interacts with Delegation of Peshawar Chamber of Commerce – 13 10 2023@anwaar_kakar pic.twitter.com/3VHKGyOkdJ
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 13, 2023
“Definitely without any doubt, I will place my faith in the state’s counter-terrorism strategy as I know that the nation is resolute in its capacity to combat the group for the long haul”, Interim PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar declared while addressing a delegation from the Peshawar Chamber of Commerce during his visit to the provincial capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کی زیر صدارت خیبر پختونخواہ سے متعلق امور پر اہم اجلاس
عہدہ سنبھالنے کے بعد پہلی بار پشاور آنے پر گورنر، نگران وزیر اعلیٰ اور صوبائی وزراء نے وزیراعظم کو خوش آمدید کہا
وزیراعظم کو خیبر پختونخواہ کی امن و امان کی تازہ صورت حال اور صوبے کو درپیش… pic.twitter.com/AC8vqdPbYF
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2023
During a media interaction flanked by Caretaker KP Chief Minister Azam Khan and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, the premier firmly stated, “The state of Pakistan is so potent that it can combat the TTP, not just for a year, but for a century.”
Responding to inquiries about the obstacles hindering talks with the TTP, Prime Minister Kakar made it clear, “We don’t want to engage in dialogue with them. We have no intention of doing so.”
The PM also debunked any notions of registered Afghan refugees being expelled from Pakistan, emphasising that only undocumented foreigners living in the country were asked to depart. These measures, according to Kakar, aim to establish international-standard relations with Afghanistan, ensuring that the movement of people is contingent upon proper visa issuance.
He underscored that the expulsion of illegal residents is not driven by vengeance but is a step toward ridding the nation of individuals contributing to social ills in the form of crime and terrorism.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar chaired a meeting on the matters related to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today in Peshawar. pic.twitter.com/L3Mmk0Rg6p
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2023
Regarding the fate of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif on his return to the country, Kakar reiterated that the government would adhere to the law.
When questioned about elections, he affirmed that the caretaker setup would cooperate with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision on the final poll date.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ سے گورنر خیبر پختونخوا حاجی غلام علی اور نگران وزیرِ اعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا اعظم خان کی ملاقات
وزیراعظم کو صوبہ خیبر پختونخواہ میں امن و امان کی صورت حال سمیت دیگر امور پر بریفنگ
”خیبر پختونخواہ کے عوام کی فلاح و بہبود کے لئے وفاقی حکومت ہر ممکن… pic.twitter.com/rm9ktEQJff
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2023
Speaking on the economic situation, Prime Minister Kakar asserted that the depreciation of the dollar had reduced the country’s loans by Rs4,000 billion, impacting the prices of essential commodities such as petroleum products, sugar, and ghee.
He lamented the lack of attention given to these efforts to provide relief to the people. Kakar also assured that all political parties registered with the Election Commission would be allowed to participate in the electoral process, with the PM Office available to address any grievances.
Paying heartfelt tribute to Shaheed Sifwat Ghayur, former commandant of FC, I offered Fateha and laid a floral wreath on his grave today, in Peshawar. His unwavering bravery and ultimate sacrifice would stay etched in our hearts. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/T3iAmpbIQB
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 13, 2023
Revisiting his memories of alma mater Kohat Cadet College and his time in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the prime minister, who wore the traditional turban of Pashtun culture, praised the people of Peshawar as unique, hardworking, and courageous, reflecting their sacrifices against terrorism.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کی ہنگو دہشتگرد حملے میں دہشت گردوں کا جواں مردی سے مقابلہ کرنے والے خیبر پختونخواہ پولیس کے سپاہی عمر سعید کو خراج تحسین۔
وزیراعظم نے حوصلہ افزائی کے طور پر عمر سعید کو پانچ لاکھ کا انعام بھی دیا۔ pic.twitter.com/iHDZfdbpU0
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 13, 2023
This visit to Peshawar marks Prime Minister Kakar’s first since taking office, and he pledged to address the business community’s concerns through dialogue while commending his cabinet as “capable and dedicated” individuals serving the nation within their mandate. The PM also took the time to listen to the issues raised by the delegation members.
