Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced on Saturday that significant investment projects under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would be finalized before the conclusion of the current caretaker setup. In an interview with a private news channel, the prime minister shared plans to sign Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) for projects worth billions of dollars during upcoming visits to Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
Pakistan and Kuwait are set to sign seven MoUs, encompassing investments totaling $10 billion across multiple sectors such as environment, mining, and food security. PM Kakar emphasized the professional nature of SIFC, operating under international best practices, and expressed optimism about its organic growth.
Addressing the investment process, the prime minister highlighted the sequential phases of negotiations, feasibility assessments, MoU signings, and the subsequent transformation into tangible projects. He reassured that changes in government would not impede the progress of projects under the Council, thanks to its institutional support.
Dismissing misinformation, PM Kakar clarified that the estimated investment amount of $70 billion would not be deposited all at once in Pakistani banks by friendly countries. He also credited the caretaker setup for successfully curbing cross-border smuggling of dollars and goods, ensuring a secure economic environment.
Regarding the upcoming general elections, PM Kakar affirmed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) readiness to conduct transparent and secure elections. He acknowledged security threats, particularly in Balochistan, but refrained from linking these concerns directly to the electoral process.
Responding to complaints from political parties about a lack of level playing fields, PM Kakar asserted that the government was not denying any party access. He emphasized that the caretaker government was not imposing restrictions on political rallies or gatherings, except for those involved in incidents under trial.
Addressing missing persons in Balochistan, PM Kakar denied the involvement of any institution in enforced disappearances, attributing such claims to a campaign aimed at maligning state institutions. Regarding the trial of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the prime minister emphasized the government’s commitment to following court orders in this regard.
