Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, born in 1971, is a Pakistani politician presently holding the position of interim Prime Minister of Pakistan since August 2023, succeeding Shehbaz Sharif. Prior to this role, he served as the official spokesperson for the Government of Balochistan from 2015 to 2017.
Early life and education
Born on May 15, 1971, in Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan, Kakar hails from a distinguished middle-class Pashtun family. His grandfather, Dr. Noor Muhammad Kakar, served as the personal physician to the Khan of Kalat, while his father, Ihtishamul Haq Kakar, was a civil servant. Additionally, his maternal uncle, Arbab Yousaf Kasi, and other relatives have actively participated in politics. Belonging to the influential Kakar tribe, particularly prominent in the northern regions of Balochistan, Kakar’s background is deeply rooted in both history and political involvement.
Kakar received his education at St. Francis School in Quetta and later attended Cadet College Kohat. He earned a master’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Balochistan in the 1990s. Despite attempting to pursue a law degree at Birkbeck, University of London in the United Kingdom, he did not complete the program.
In 2005, Kakar returned to Pakistan.
Academic Career
Commencing his career as a teacher,[6][8] Kakar has since become actively engaged with various think tanks, playing a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy. His expertise extends to a keen observation of South Asian geopolitics, with a particular focus on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Serving as a visiting faculty member at both the Command and Staff College in Quetta and the National Defence University in Islamabad, Kakar imparts lectures on International Relations.
Notably, Kakar possesses fluency in Pashto, Urdu, Persian, English, Balochi, and Brahui.
Political Genesis with PML-Q (2006-2008):
Initiating his political journey, Kakar joined PML-Q in 2006. In the 2008 general election, he contested a National Assembly seat from Quetta but faced defeat, marking a significant early chapter in his political career.
Support for Military Actions in Balochistan (2007-2018):
During the ethnic nationalist insurgency in Balochistan from 2007 to 2013, Kakar actively advocated for military actions in the region. Despite allegations of military abuses, he consistently dismissed such claims, attributing the unrest to external factors. This stance led to his appointment as the spokesperson for the Chief Minister of Balochistan in December 2015, a position he held until 2018 under the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) government.
Founding BAP and Senate Tenure (2018-2020):
In 2018, Kakar parted ways with PML-N and played a pivotal role in establishing a new political entity, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). Subsequently, he secured a seat in the Senate of Pakistan as an independent candidate in the 2018 Pakistani Senate election. His contributions extended to various Senate committees, including Chairing the Committee of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and membership in committees such as Business Advisory, Finance and Revenue, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology.
Consideration for Federal Ministerial Position (2020):
In 2020, Kakar’s political trajectory briefly included consideration for the role of Federal Minister of Information in Imran Khan’s government. However, despite the deliberations, he was ultimately not appointed to the position.
Caretaker Prime Minister Appointment and Actions (2023):
In 2023, Kakar received a nomination to assume the role of Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan from the outgoing opposition leader and then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. President Arif Alvi endorsed the nomination, officially designating Kakar as the 8th Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. Taking the oath on the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14, 2023, Kakar resigned from the Senate on the same day. His resignation was promptly accepted by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.
International Diplomacy and Advocacy (October-November 2023):
In October 2023, Kakar advocated for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war, emphasizing the need for peace in the region. Subsequently, in November 2023, he expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis, particularly highlighting the tragic impact on Palestinian children in Gaza. Kakar unequivocally called for an immediate halt to what he described as an appalling and atrocious children holocaust.
Establishment of Voice of Balochistan (2016-2023):
In 2016, Kakar founded the non-governmental organization Voice of Balochistan (VOB) and assumed the role of CEO, as indicated by sources. Despite not obtaining official registration until 2021, VOB operated a network of social media accounts with a pro-military stance and reportedly received financial support from the exchequer. Subsequently, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launched an investigation into then-Senator Kakar on allegations of corruption linked to VOB. The inquiry, which included a 2021 request by NAB Balochistan for additional information from the provincial government, was concluded in September 2023 following Kakar’s appointment as caretaker prime minister.