The caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, has admitted that 27,000 vehicles of smuggled Iranian oil are entering Pakistan daily with the connivance of local officials. He said that the smuggling of goods and foreign currency is posing an "existential threat to Pakistan".
Kakar said that he has ordered the military and the civil leadership to launch a decisive campaign against smuggling. He also said that he has met with the Managing Director of the IMF to discuss Pakistan's efforts to curb the smuggling of foreign currency.
The IMF has emphasized taxing the rich people, and Kakar said that he agrees with this. He said that he wants to tax lawyers, doctors, media persons, media owners, and retailers. He also said that Pakistan wants to reform the tax system out of conviction, not under pressure from the IMF.
Kakar also spoke about the role of the military-dominated Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He said that the SIFC's role has been expanded to areas that are domestic in nature and involve as small issues as providing gas to housing societies or setting priority in allocation of gas to various economic sectors.
Kakar also said that the government will outline its policy for privatizing the power distribution companies by December of this year. He said that various proposals are under consideration, which includes signing concession agreements with the private sector and handing over these companies to the provinces.
Kakar also responded to questions about action against the PTI workers and Pakistan's policy about illegal Afghan immigrants. He said that Pakistan is expelling only those foreigners who have illegally entered the country and do not have any legal basis to stay back. He also said that PTI is a political and legal entity and its supporters enjoy all the rights, which the constitution ensures to any political party.
Kakar also said that his government will ensure that no political party has any fear or favor while undergoing the electoral process. He said that there would not be any intervention by any institution in the elections.
Kakar said that he has met with the president three to four times to discuss the electoral process. He said that he has not received any complaint against any enforced disappearances in Punjab. He also said that the government will not hold elections based on the input from the Met Office rather it is up to the ECP to decide the date.
