Approval or rejection of nomination papers of the candidates is a constitutional process: Murtaza Solangi

ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (SABAH): Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has said that the approval or rejection of nomination papers of the candidates is a constitutional process, and any decisions in this regard fall within the legal framework.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Murtaza Solangi said the majority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates have successfully submitted their nomination papers.

He clarified that the acceptance or rejection of these papers is a constitutional process. He said that the caretaker government has no involvement in these matters, and only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) can act in such electoral affairs.

Reiterating the adherence to constitutional boundaries, Murtaza Solangi emphasized that all political parties, including PTI, receive fair coverage based on ethical editorial policies.

He further noted that registered political parties are receiving unbiased coverage on state media, adhering to ethical journalistic standards.

Murtaza Solangi also expressed the commitment to provide necessary support to the Election Commission for financial and administrative facilitation. He informed that the Election Commission’s financial needs were initially met with an allocation of 10 billion rupees, followed by an additional disbursement of 17.4 billion rupees.

Talking about the progress in the negotiations with Baloch protesters, the Information Minister revealed that in the first phase, all children and women were safely released. In the second phase, 163 male individuals were also set free, and the remaining 34 individuals were released in the third phase.

Murtaza Solangi asserted the right to peaceful protest for every citizen but clarified that actions such as road closures, entering restricted zones, assaulting the police, and pelting stones are outside the boundaries of peaceful demonstrations and are not permitted.