Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar reiterated on Tuesday that, by existing laws, the government possesses the authority to prohibit and terminate individuals or entities. He clarified that the government operates within the legal framework, refraining from portraying itself as either villains or heroes of human rights.
Emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, PM Kakar rejected any attempts to justify violence under the guise of human rights. During a dialogue with students in Quetta, he addressed various issues, including education, youth empowerment, political stability, terrorism, and immigration.
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PM Kakar denounced the formation of militias based on language, religion, and race, stating that such actions lack justification within the Constitution. He highlighted the Constitution’s allowance for participation in National and Provincial Assembly elections to address concerns and grievances without resorting to violence.
With the upcoming elections on February 8, PM Kakar urged citizens to participate in the democratic process by submitting nomination papers and expressing their views through legitimate political channels. Regarding violence, he asserted that the state would determine its justifiability.
PM Kakar cited the activities of banned organizations like BLA and BLF, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to address violence and maintain law and order. He questioned the selective nature of human rights advocacy, pointing to incidents where concerns were not widely raised.
Acknowledging the government’s right to control the expression of information under the law, PM Kakar stressed the importance of freedom of expression for the media, subject to legal constraints. Drawing comparisons to figures like Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, he highlighted the importance of rules in determining access to platforms like Oxford.
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The caretaker prime minister affirmed that the government would not surrender to the narratives of terrorists and violent groups. He expressed hope for a transformation in Balochistan through the involvement of youth using social media tools, urging students to take on challenges as a mission.
PM Kakar emphasized the urgency of addressing the out-of-school children issue, highlighting the transformative power of education in shaping society. He called for pondering steps to make education accessible to such kids, suggesting the involvement of the Pakistani diaspora in overcoming the issue through donations to educate unprivileged children.