Kakar directs authorities to extend date of MDCAT test,

Caretaker PM visits Maulana Fazlur Rehman,

The interim premier made the assurance while getting a briefing on the country’s economic situation on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor, finance and power secretaries and chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Kakar took charge as the caretaker prime minister a day earlier after he was administered oath by President Arif Alvi. He was named as the interim PM after his predecessor, Shehbaz Sharif, and former opposition leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz agreed to propose Kakar for the coveted slot.

The officials briefed Kakar in detail about the measures being taken to bring about stability and a further improvement in the country’s economy, the ongoing reforms in the power sector

“Will maintain continuity in country’s economic policies and bring more economic improvement,” he assured. Interim PM Kakar added that public welfare projects will continue uninterrupted during his government and directed that international standard facilities should be ensured in the health and education sectors.

The caretaker premier also added that his government would prioritise steps to increase foreign investment via the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Kakar also added that his government would accelerate the implementation of ongoing reforms in the power sector. While measures to increase tax revenue should be strictly followed, he directed. “The caretaker government will focus on deregulation to improve the economy.”

The caretaker prime minister also directed the officials to submit a detailed report on the ongoing reforms in each sector.

Even though Kakar has given a hint of what lies on the economic front, his first task is to assemble a cabinet.

Sources had told Geo News earlier today that Kakar has sped up the consultation for the formation of the cabinet.

They added that the interim PM has decided to form a small cabinet and personally review the profiles of all possible candidates.

“I don’t want to put more burden on the country suffering from economic problems,” the caretaker prime minister told his friends, according to the sources.

He further expressly wished that his protocol be kept to a minimum, adding that he did not want to incur unnecessary expenses nor make people suffer.

The sources also said that the names of caretaker ministers under consideration include former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, former civil servant Shoaib Suddle, former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Ahsan Bhoon, former senator Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, and former police IG and acclaimed columnist Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema.

Moreover, former information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani is likely to be given the portfolio of the Ministry of Information, the sources said.

While

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday directed authorities concerned to extend the date of MDCAT test to September 10.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister Office aid the test was earlier scheduled on 27th of this month (August).

The prime minister extended the date on the request of the students, who had sought more time for preparation.

Earlier,

Anwarul Haq Kakar Monday visited JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad,

Anwarul Haq Kakar expressed his condolences to Fazlur Rehman over the Bajaur blast.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Senator Sarfraz Bugti also accompanied the Prime Minister.

In the meeting, Kakar also offered Fatiha for the souls of the martyrs.

Maulana Asad Mehmood, Maulana Abdul Wasi, Allama Rashid Soomro, Agha Syed Mehmood Shah, and Malik Sikandar were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori called on Caretaker Prime Minister. The governor congratulated the caretaker prime minister on assuming his office and expressed his best wishes.

During the meeting, Senator Sarfraz Bugti was also present. The prime minister thanked the Sindh governor for his good wishes.