Pakistan’s election commission has announced a recent redefining of electoral constituencies based on the latest census data. This move has significantly increased possibility that the general elections, expected within the legally mandated 90-day period, will be postponed.
Concurrently, President Arif Alvi has inaugurated an interim cabinet comprising 16 federal ministers, three advisers to the Prime Minister with ministerial status, and an additional four special advisers, one of whom is Mushaal Hussein Mullick, the wife of imprisoned separatist Yasin Malik.
Mushaal Hussein Mullick’s role as a special adviser to the caretaker Prime Minister will focus on human rights and women’s empowerment. Yasin Malik, currently serving a life sentence for a terror funding conviction, has had his spouse appointed in this advisory capacity.
He recently appeared before the Delhi High Court through a video link due to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case that seeks death penalty for him.
The election commission has disclosed its intention to finalize the redrawing of both federal and provincial constituencies on December 14 this year. Pakistan’s constitutional stipulation mandates the establishment of a neutral caretaker government post National Assembly dissolution to facilitate the holding of general elections within 90 days, which would have been due in early November.
It was predicted that a delay in elections could potentially enable the military, which already wields significant political influence, to further solidify its control over civilian affairs and may lead to later disturbances as was seen at the time of custody of Imran Khan former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Given the deferment of elections, the interim administration’s authority gained heightened significance. This administration, led by relatively unknown politician Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, will posses augmented powers to shape economic policies due to changes in Pakistan’s electoral laws implemented by the outgoing government of Shehbaz Sharif.
The newly inaugurated federal ministers encompass a diverse range of backgrounds. Former diplomat Jalil Abbas Jilani has been appointed as the foreign minister, economist Dr. Shamshad Akhtar will lead the finance ministry, and journalist Murtaza Solangi will serve as the information minister. Other appointments include Balochistan Awami Party senator Sarfaraz Bugti as interior (home) minister, and retired Lt. Gen. Syed Anwar Ali Haider as defense minister.
In furtherance of the inauguration ceremony, held at the President’s House which brought a crowd of dignitaries, politicians, and public figures from various sectors.
The decisions made by the interim government will have far-reaching implications for the nation’s political landscape and democratic processes during this period of transitional governance and electoral preparation.