Senator Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, who was recently nominated as the interim prime minister, announced on Sunday that he will be surrendering his membership of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and relinquishing his Senate position. “Owing to the fundamental responsibility conferred upon me as the caretaker prime minister, I have decided to surrender my membership of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and relinquish my Senate position,” he wrote on his Twitter handle. Owing to the fundamental responsibility conferred upon me as the caretaker Prime Minister, I have decided to surrender my membership of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and relinquish my Senate position. Prayers requested from everyone. — Senator Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 13, 2023 He also requested prayers and support from the public during this time of transition. Senator Kakar was named interim PM on Saturday after the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9, three days shy of completing its five-year term. Read more: PM Shehbaz hopes Kakar will ensure 'free, fair' polls as Mengal regrets appointment Associated with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and formerly Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Kakar was nominated by Shehbaz and dissident Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raja Riaz after three days of deliberation. A summary was sent to President Arif Alvi, who approved it under Article 224-1A of the Constitution of Pakistan. Kakar is to be sworn in as caretaker prime minister on August 14 - Independence Day. Shehbaz said that the name of a "suitable person" was agreed upon as in line with the Constitution, which calls for a consensus between the outgoing premier and opposition leader, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office. Read: Explainer: What lies ahead for Pakistan as it heads to polls BAP is widely perceived as the brainchild of the establishment. Sources within the country's political leadership expressed surprise at the nominated name, which had been kept under wraps amid growing speculation over who the caretaker premier might be. In March 2018, little-known BAP leader Sadiq Sanjrani was elected Senate chairperson defeating PML-N candidate Raja Zafarul Haq. Congratulating Kakar on his appointment, Shehbaz said his government had struggled to bring economic stability in the country these past 16 months. He hoped the process they initiated would continue in the coming months. Ensuring progress, prosperity and economic stability is critical for the progress and development of the nation, said Shehbaz, extending prayers for the caretaker setup. The upcoming general elections are expected to be held coming November, a month past the 90-day time frame stipulated by the Constitution after the dissolution of assemblies.