Caretaker PM likely to visit US next month

ISLAMABAD: Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the Caretaker Prime Minister, is expected to embark on a journey to the United States in the upcoming month, as per sources from the Foreign Office (FO).

Accompanying him on the trip will be the interim Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani. During his visit, Prime Minister Kakar is slated to address the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, taking place in September, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Preparations for this visit are currently underway, with the Foreign Office actively working towards facilitating meetings between Prime Minister Kakar and world leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

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Despite the limited tenure of the caretaker prime minister, the Foreign Office has advised his attendance at the UNGA, highlighting the importance of Pakistan’s continued engagement at this significant international event, regardless of the absence of an elected government.

Prime Minister Kakar will utilize this platform to present Pakistan’s stance on vital regional and global matters. The decision for his UNGA address is rooted in the belief that Pakistan’s participation should not be compromised due to the transitional nature of the government.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Jilani, Prime Minister Kakar is likely to hold bilateral discussions with global leaders, with a specific focus on nurturing relations with friendly nations. Given his oversight of the upcoming general elections, other nations will be eager to glean insights from the caretaker prime minister’s perspective.

Western powers, particularly the European Union and the United States, express a preference for a seamless transfer of authority from one elected administration to the next. Sources suggest that they advocate for a timely and smooth transition without unnecessary delays.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in conveying his congratulations to the caretaker prime minister, emphasized the imperative of conducting elections that are characterized by their fairness, freedom, and transparency.