New Delhi: Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister on Monday to see the country through to an election due in months, reported news agency AFP.
"I will strive to preserve the Islamic ideology which is the basis for the creation of Pakistan... I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions," the 52-year-old said in a ceremony broadcast live on TV, according to AFP.
Kakar, a first-time Senator, is an ethnic Pushtun from Balochistan and a member of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) -- a party considered close to the powerful establishment of the country.
He was administered the oath of office by President Arif Alvi in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr (the President House) in Islamabad. He became the 8th interim prime minister of Pakistan.
A day earlier, Kakar announced his resignation from the Senate as well as the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which he founded in 2018.
On August 12, Kakar's name was agreed upon during the consultations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Leader of the Opposition in the dissolved National Assembly.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kakar had written, “Thank you to Allah Almighty who gives me the opportunity to Serve the Nation as Caretaker PM of Pakistan. I.A (inshallah) will do the best which will be in favour of Pakistan.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that Kakar would ensure fair elections. He said the "trust reposed by all parties in Kakar's name proves their proper choice as the upcoming caretaker Prime Minister is an educated person and a patriot."
According to Sharif, Kakar was decided upon under a constitutional process as he was the "most suitable person" to head the interim set-up.