Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said the government would assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding the general election in accordance with its time-table.
“It is the foremost priority of the government to assist the ECP in holding the election in a free, fair and transparent manner,” the minister said. “We will fulfill our limited role in line with the constitution,” he remarked.
He said it was the responsibility of the ECP to hold the election, and under Article 51 of the Constitution, the electoral body was bound to hold the election in accordance with the fresh census, approved by the Council of Common Interests
The ECP would have to give 54 days to the political parties for the electoral campaign once the delimitations were completed, he added.
Solangi said the ECP would decide the date of election which was a constitutional body. He said the government would take steps to improve law and order situation in the country.
The minister said the government would hand over the country to the elected government in better shape by strengthening the national economy. “It is our responsibility to strengthen the economy and we will make all-out efforts for the purpose,” he remarked.
“The courts are open, the media is free, if anyone has any complaint, they can approach the appropriate forums,” the minister said. He said the caretaker government was committed to hold the election in a peaceful and conducive environment.
Earlier, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the interim set-up has assured the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of all possible assistance and cooperation to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
The information minister was briefing the media following the maiden cabinet meeting of the new caretaker government. Solangi added that the current government would also comply with the directions of the ECP in regard to transfers and postings of any individual necessary to hold free and fair elections.
The information minister referred to the meeting he held with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and said that he has conveyed the ‘will and resolve’ of the cabinet in holding transparent polls.
Solangi reiterated the determination of the caretaker setup to abide by their oath and discharge their responsibilities as per the law and Constitution of Pakistan and added that the economic health of the country is the top priority of the interim setup. He also condemned the Jaranwala incident and said the state stands by its minority communities as all citizens have equal rights as all have equal rights in the Constitution. The ECP has commenced the delimitation process, citing the digital census notification issued by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) on August 5 as the basis for its action.
As the delimitation process will end in the month of December, the general elections cannot be held within 90 days—in November—as per Article 224 of the Constitution.
