‘Elections in Pakistan to be held in February’

ISLAMABAD: Former opposition leader in the Pakistan National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz on Saturday said that general elections will be held in February, three months later than the constitutionally allowed limit of 90 days, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

Riaz's statement comes after Balochistan Awami Party Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar was named as Pakistan's interim Prime Minister. Kakar's appointment as Pakistan caretaker PM came after Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz concluded their consultations, according to Dawn. The announcement regarding Pakistan's caretaker PM was made three days after the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9.

The Pakistan National Assembly was dissolved three days before its mandated period, following which elections are to be held within 90 days, according to Dawn. However, a delay in the elections has become almost certain as the results of the 2023 digital census have been given approval as a fresh limitation, which might take months.

Speaking on Geo News show Naya Pakistan, Riaz said that Pakistan's caretaker PM was selected from Balochistan as there were always complaints regarding the Balochistan region being deprived of its rights, Dawn reported.

In response to a question on whether a "level playing field" will be ensured in the upcoming elections along with the participation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the electoral process, he said, "I cannot provide a definitive answer." ANI

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