<\/p>\n
\u2022 Says announcing poll date beyond interim govt\u2019s mandate
\u2022 Hints at easy instalments for power consumers using up to 200 units
\u2022 Plan in the works to curb cross-border smuggling<\/p>\n
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said consistency of policies is only possible under a one-party rule, and not in a liberal democracy and parliamentary system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe consistency you are referring to is possible in one-party government which rules for two, three or four decades and forwards its policies with consistency \u2014 whether they are right or wrong. If you come in liberal democracy, where a parliamentary system exists, policies are made through assessments in view of economic and political challenges and on that basis they [rulers] are judged by the people who again give them [rulers] mandate or not,\u201d the PM told a questioner at a news conference here on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that even expectation of such uniform policies is unrealistic,\u201d he said, adding that governments should exhibit their ability, in which their capacity and intentions were exposed, and make decisions and take responsibility of their decisions. On that basis, people should decide whether or not give them [governments] mandate.<\/p>\n
Responding to a question about the next general elections, Mr Kakar said announcing the poll date was beyond the mandate of the interim government.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I announce elections, I would be engaging in an unlawful act, and as a journalist, you should be aware that if you steer us towards illegal actions and pose questions that might tempt us to break the law, then what should my response be,\u201d he asked another questioner.<\/p>\n
Cross-border smuggling<\/strong><\/p>\n As the presser was held soon after a meeting on cross-border smuggling, hoarding and power theft, Mr Kakar said: \u201cWe have zero tolerance for those involved in smuggling and the law will take its course.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the meeting discussed monitoring, implementation and future strategy over the last week decisions on smuggling, power theft and hoarding.<\/p>\n He said extensive discussions had taken place regarding the Afghan Transit Trade agreement and reopening of the Torkham border. \u201cRestoration of Afghan trade does not mean it will start smuggling again,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Asked about the involvement of Afghan refugees in cross-border smuggling, Mr Kakar said an effective policy had been agreed upon.<\/p>\n He categorised the Afghans living in Pakistan into three types: those registered with the government, \u201caliens with no justification to reside\u201d, and those with \u201cidentity theft\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will push the [Afghan] aliens back to their country and no one without the visa regime will be allowed to live here,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n Asked about the hike in prices of petroleum products thrice during the tenure of the caretaker government, the PM said the matter was beyond domestic control and linked to the global increase.<\/p>\n He hinted at announcing in the near future easy instalments for electricity consumers using up to 200 units.<\/p>\n