Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, a former senator for Baluchistan province of Pakistan, was on Monday sworn in as head of the interim caretaker government of the country, reports DW.
The interim government will oversee parliamentary elections constitutionally due within 90 days.
Kakar is taking over the reins from and with the approval of Shehbaz Sharif, who took power in April 2022 following the controversial ouster of popular ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote in parliament.
In Pakistan, it is customary for a caretaker administration to be appointed for the election period. Parliament was officially dissolved last week.
Who is Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar?
Kakar, who was sworn in on Monday in a ceremony broadcast live on TV, has been representing Baluchistan province in the Senate since 2018.
He quit as the leader of the small Baluchistan Awami Party and as a senator on Sunday after being named as interim prime minister by Sharif and opposition leader Raza Riaz.
Outgoing Premier Sharif said in a farewell address late on Sunday that "I have confidence in the caretaker prime minister's ability to conduct free and fair elections."
Kakar will first have the job of selecting a Cabinet to look after the day-to-day running of the country going into the elections, which some observers feel may be delayed partly owing to the political and economic crises facing the nation.
Among other things, Khan's ouster has been a major contributor to sharp divisions in the country.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
