challenges for caretaker government to hold elections?

In Pakistan, the caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar's government will hold general elections in the country, which are to be held in 90 days, but there is uncertainty regarding the date of the election in a country surrounded by constitutional, economic, and political problems.

According to the British news agency Reuters, until the new prime minister is sworn in through the election, caretaker prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and his cabinet will run domestic affairs, but in such a situation, some questions arise that how will the next few months pass?

Will the general elections be held on time?

According to the constitution, the caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar's government will have to hold elections in 90 days, however, the coalition government has approved a new census in the last few days under which the Election Commission will make new constituencies.

According to a former official of the Election Commission, it may take six or more months to delimit hundreds of constituencies of federal and provincial assemblies.

The Election Commission has to tell how much time it will take to delimit the constituencies and when the election will be held. After the new constituencies, the Election Commission may also face legal problems from the candidates.

What will be the role of caretaker government?

Normally, the job of a caretaker government is to hold elections and has no role in policy-making, but under the recent legislation, Anwarul Haq Kakar's caretaker government will be the first in Pakistan's history to make economic policy. will

It is apparently intended to carry out the $3 billion standby agreement with the IMF signed in June. At least one of the IMF's three reviews will be under the caretaker government, and there may be more than one if elections are delayed.

IMF has reached a consensus on this after talking to all the political parties.

What is the role of the establishment?

Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar's Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is considered close to the Pakistani establishment and the general perception is that he is the candidate of the Pakistani establishment.

Tehreek-e-Insaf will try to win the next election by winning the sympathies of the people (File Photo: AFP) Political observers believe that if the caretaker setup is prolonged, the control of the establishment will increase without an elected government.

 Will Imran Khan participate in the election?

Imran Khan has gone to jail for three years after being convicted in a corruption case and he cannot contest elections for five years. His party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf won the 2018 election and he was elected as the Prime Minister of the country. However, his government was terminated by a no-confidence motion in April last year.

Which is three major political parties that are candidates for the next government?

The general elections will be contested between PTI, Muslim League-N and Pakistan Peoples Party. After Imran Khan went to jail, Tehreek-e-Insaf will try to win the next election by winning the sympathies of the people.

According to Reuters, the PTI could return to power only if relations with its establishment are normalized, but the chances of this happening are very slim.

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif wants to return to Pakistan, but he has been convicted in a corruption case and in these circumstances Shahbaz Sharif is seen as the prime ministerial candidate in the next government as well.

People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also a candidate for the Prime Ministership who will take on the duties of the Foreign Minister and is also being seen as the future Prime Minister.

If the election is delayed for more than 90 days, the Supreme Court can raise constitutional and legal questions (File photo: AFP). What challenges will be faced until the election?

Economic stability is the biggest challenge for Pakistan, a country that narrowly avoided default after the IMF deal. Historical inflation and interest rate hikes have already occurred prior to economic reforms.

Political uncertainty after Imran Khan's jailing is also a major challenge. Although the May 9 situation did not arise after his arrest this time, if he continues to remain in jail, the credibility of the election will be questioned.

If the election is delayed for more than 90 days, the Supreme Court can also raise constitutional and legal questions while interpreting the constitution.