Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated that the decision to handcuff Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif upon his return to the country is within the purview of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and they will make the decision according to the law.

He emphasized that LEAs have the discretion to decide whether Nawaz Sharif should be handcuffed or not and expressed hope that they would make the decision to the best of their ability. PM Kakar noted that it was not his responsibility to decide whether Nawaz Sharif should be behind bars or allowed to move freely; it is a decision of the judicial process and law enforcement.

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Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21, and there are growing apprehensions about the possibility of his arrest upon his return. He was convicted in corruption cases in 2018 but left the country in November 2019 after receiving temporary medical relief. Kakar emphasized that the federal government could only intervene if it felt that the law was being defied.

During his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, PM Kakar directed authorities to formulate a strategy for reconstructing and improving the communication infrastructure in the region. He assured that electricity-related issues faced by the region would be resolved and instructed for a strategy to be formulated for electricity generation. Kakar also listened to the grievances of the local leadership, including issues related to electricity supply and representation in the G-B Assembly, and directed the Chief Secretary to utilize all available resources for their resolution. He visited a digital hub and a rehabilitation center during his visit to the region.

Former G-B governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, ex-member of G-B Assembly Rani Attiqa, members of the assembly Col (retd) Ubaidullah Baig, and Dilshad Bano were among the socio-political leaders who attended the meeting with PM Kakar.