ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has claimed that the media in Pakistan is “freer” than in the West, saying the latter is under “stricter regulations”.

In an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, Mr Kakar talked about the economic outlook for the country, the upcoming election and charges against former prime minister Imran Khan.

About concerns regarding upcoming polls being “rigged”, the PM said critics should first let the polls take place after which the conduct could be questioned.

“First they said, we are not going to have elections. Now, when we are having an election, they are saying, ‘Oh, it is one of the most rigged elections in the country’s history’,” he said.

In reply to a question about fairness of polls after the arrest of Mr Khan and his party being stripped of its electoral symbol, Mr Kakar said “Pakistan was a transitional democracy, and such democracies faced “domestic challenges”.

Says Imran jailed not for his political opinions, but for alleged role in May 9 events

The prime minister said Mr Khan has not been jailed for his political opinions but for his alleged role in committing riots and encouraging arson in a reference to May 9 events.

Terrorist attacks

When his attention was drawn towards his recent statement in which he had blamed the uptick in acts of terrorism in the country on return of Afghan Taliban to power in Afghanistan and whether he still blamed the administration of US President Joe Biden for it, the prime minister said: “No, I do not blame anyone for anything. It is the situation and the circumstances in which we are living. We did foresee that there would be implications for Pakistan whenever the US and Nato withdrew. And that is why Pakistan was advocating for a responsible withdrawal.”

About deportation of illegal immigrants from Pakistan, especially Afghans, Mr Kakar said: “There were people for the last four to five decades and a few of them no doubt were engaged with our terrorism challenge, with our crime challenge, with our organised crime challenge and other social evils, but not all of them.”

He said there was “no perpetual ban” on the deported immigrants.

“If they want to come back to Pakistan, they can do (so) by receiving their travel documents from back home and have regulated movement,” he said.

Equitable opportunities

The prime minister also spoke at a forum titled, “Trade Tech’s Trillion-Dollar Promise” on the sideline of the World Economic Forum meeting.

He said that using state-of-the-art technology was vital to achieve targets of fast development.

He called for ensuring equitable opportunities for all nations and regions to grab fruits of modern technology.

Stressing the need for ensuring equitable opportunities for all to secure technology, Mr Kakar said it was key to ensuring sustainable global development

The premier said the digital economy would attain more importance in the days ahead.

He said every region of the world should benefit from the development being carried out in the technology sector.

In reply to a question about issues of trade and business, he said the private sector should be encouraged to boost up investment. Additionaly, the private sector should take a lead to help the government in resolving the challenges of trade and business, he said.

“The government does think in a different way and manner when it approaches towards challenges of trade and business, while the private entities and the business people have different opinions,” he said, adding that the private entities should become the opinion maker and it should influence and contribute more towards this goal.

The prime minister also spoke at an event titled “20th Pakistan Breakfast at Davos 2024” organised by Pathfinders Group.

Speaking on the occasion, he said a trading activity of around $336 trillion trade was happening in China, and GCC countries were also entering into the manufacturing industry.

He said China had acquired the transformation stage to relocate some of its industry and Pakistan might be one of those destinations.

Similarly, he said, the GCC countries were rich with capital but had geographical disadvantages with the options of either importing the manpower or taking their capital to countries with a conducive environment and inexpensive energy and labour.

Calling human resources, the biggest asset of Pakistan, the prime minister said 60pc of its 240 million population was under 30 years of age which meant whole of energy and required direction.

“I am quite sanguine that people are feeling a deep sense of positivity,” he said and mentioned the structural changes and revamping of the taxation system.

Later, PM Kakar and Belgian PM Alexander De Croo met on Wednesday, while noting the completion of 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Belgium

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Syed Irfan Raza also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024