New Delhi: Pakistan’s caretaker PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar thought out of the box and acted on it, and no it doesn’t concern his country’s economy or the rising inflation hurting the people. He decided to be the ‘love guru’. And Pakistanis aren’t happy about it.
In a clip being shared by Pakistani social media users, PM Kakar is answering a set of questions he was supposedly asked by Pakistanis. He begins by answering ‘how to manage a crazy mother-in-law’: “I guess I would go on a crisis management course.”
Next up, ‘what should you do to impress someone if you have no money’. Pat came Kakar’s reply that he has “never tried to impress someone”, although he has always been impressed by many others.
And between a job abroad and the person one loves, what should someone pick? “I guess you get love by chance and job according to your ability. You will have the chance to have the job according to your ability; don’t miss the chance (of love).”
Clearly, Pakistanis are concerned (no, not the ones asking questions to him but everyone else) that their PM, instead of addressing the crises facing the country, is “behaving like a GenZ influencer”.
A concerned user asked: “Ye PM hai ya mehboob apke qadmon main wala baba (Is he the PM or a baba who promises to find you your love).”
Another user was more direct: “Job according to your ability is a wrong answer and he is a loud example of it.”
Also Read: Anwaar-ul Haq Kakar — teacher-turned-politician from Balochistan appointed Pakistan’s caretaker PM
‘Caretaker’ PM taking care
Kakar was attending a Q&A session hosted by CurrentPk, a new Pakistani website. It shared the interview of the PM dishing out relationship advice as an Instagram story, and Pakistani social media has been buzzing ever since.
The country may be embroiled in political crises, but when it comes to matters of love, the PM wants you to understand that he is a know-all and won’t hesitate to be the tell-all.
The one question that seemed to stump Kakar was whether girls are attracted to men with political power. “It should be asked [sic] by the girls rather than myself but I would presume, uh, maybe, yes, or…I don’t know. I honestly don’t know the answer for it.”
Kakar also advocates for choosing love, age no bar. A question about whether they should marry a woman they like drew Kakar out of his uncertain zone: “My age is 52. Of course. Even if you are 82, do consider it.”
The senator from Balochistan Awami Party, Kakar was named the caretaker PM days after the assembly was dissolved in August 2023.
He kicked off the new year with a controversial remark against Baloch protesters, accusing them of being “funded by RAW”. His remark was criticised as ‘irresponsible’, but Kakar was unmoved and asked those showing “fake solidarity” with the people in Balochistan to “join the militants”.
Also Read: Pakistan has new civilian face, but no foreign policy. Anwaar Kakar’s luxury trip abroad shows
And now this
The clip of his Q&A has sent Pakistanis into a tizzy. Citizens are comparing him to the babas who promise people to help find their love.
“Agony Aunt Kakar to the rescue,” one user noted.
Sociologist Nida Kirmani did not mince her words when she said the caretaker PM was “trying hard to unseat Altaf Bhai as Pakistan’s #1 love guru…and failing miserably”.
Clearly, ‘Kakar chacha’ has failed to strike a chord with the audience.
“Chacha Kakar GrowUp! Why are you behaving like a teenager? Do you think we’ve any interest in your love Life or 2nd Marriage or Even in YOU?,” one user posted on X.
“Aag lage basti mein, Kakar sahab apne masti me (the world may be on fire but Kakar is least concerned),” added another.
Pakistan is mired in political controversies amid upcoming election dates, the Balochistan crisis among others and social media users are clearly not happy over the government’s priorities.
“While Punjabi women are being subjected to fascism and Balochi women are sitting in Islamabad in winters while their loved ones remain missing, our ‘CARETAKER’ PM, (he forgot to add) is enjoying a question answer session!”, a user wrote.
Reacting to his video, journalist Kiyya Baloch said: ‘The Prime Minister sounds more like a love guru than a political leader; post-retirement, he should open a marriage bureau on Prince Road, Quetta.’
(Edited by Prashant)