Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that free and fair polls can be held even without incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan — who is currently serving a three-year sentence in Attock jail in a corruption case.
In an interview, PM Kakar said: “Free and fair elections can take place without [Imran] Khan or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities including vandalism and arson.”
Responding to a question, PM Kakar said that those PTI activists, who are serving jail sentences, were involved in arson attacks, vandalism and other illegal activities.
“Thousands of PTI activists who did not engage in unlawful activities can partake in the upcoming elections,” he added.
When asked if there is a view that the military is going to manipulate the upcoming elections to make sure that the PTI does not return to power, the caretaker premier replied: “I think it is absolutely absurd.”
“The ECP is going to conduct the elections, not the military,” he said, adding that there is also the caretaker government to monitor and support the electoral process.
The current Chief Election Commissioner Sikarnder Sultan Raja was appointed by Imran Khan, Kakar said and asked, “Why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?”
To another question, the premier said, “We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta.” He, however, warned that if the PTI chairman or any other politician violates the rules and regulations, then they would be dealt with according to the law.
PM Kakar further said he would not interfere with the verdicts by the courts, adding that the judiciary should also not be used “as a tool for any political ends.”