Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has expressed concerns about the misuse of social media and indicated plans for regulations to curb its negative tendencies. In an interview, he mentioned the creation of a “national firewall” through technology to subdue the alleged negative aspects of social media. Reflecting on the May 9 events, Kakar criticized the elements involved, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social order for political stability. He clarified that his government did not target any specific political party in the aftermath of the May 9 incident.

Kakar highlighted the need for political parties to democratize themselves and decrease the influence of individuals. He welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision on the intra-party elections of PTI, stating that it would increase opportunities for politicians from the middle class. Regarding Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s visit to Afghanistan, Kakar clarified it was a private undertaking, and the state of Pakistan was not directly involved, although the Foreign Office briefed him on the situation.

Also Read: National Social Media Outage During PTI Virtual Event, Reports Netblocks

Addressing Iran’s attack on Pakistani soil, Kakar condemned the aggression, expressing shock at the unexpected incident. He affirmed that both Pakistan and Iran agreed on the necessity for de-escalation after the attack. On the upcoming general elections on February 8, Kakar expressed optimism that they would bring political stability to the country. He mentioned the successful achievement of most government targets and indicated that a white paper would be issued to enlist those successes.

In terms of economic challenges, Kakar stated that the next government would need to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bring reforms to the taxation system to advance the economy. He noted progress in the privatization process of state-owned entities, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Kakar also highlighted the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in signing $25 billion worth of memorandums of understanding with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.