Pakistan is in a severe economic crisis. In addition, the country is paralyzed by a power struggle between the government and the ex-prime minister. Now a senator from the province takes over the affairs of state.
After the early dissolution of the Pakistani National Assembly, a largely unknown senator is in charge of government affairs. President Arif Alvi signed the appointment of Anwarul Haq Kakar on Saturday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the opposition had previously agreed on the senator from Balochistan province. Kakar is to act as acting head of government for the nuclear power until the planned parliamentary elections.
Kakar hails from the unrest-stricken border province of Balochistan, where he served as a leader in a regional party. His nomination is seen as a compromise between the ruling alliance of family dynasties and the opposition party PTI, as the senator does not belong to any major established party. Provincial politicians generally enjoy the backing of the powerful military.
On Wednesday, President Arif Alvi approved the early dissolution of the National Assembly, paving the way for elections within the next 90 days. There is no specific date yet. The date could also be delayed because of a new census, because constituencies are to be redesigned.
The South Asian country with more than 240 million inhabitants is in a severe economic crisis. A power struggle has been raging between Sharif’s government and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan for months. The former cricket star was jailed and sentenced to three years in a corruption trial a week ago. Observers suspect political reasons.
Source: Stern
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