Elections to be held on the date, announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan: Murtaza Solangi
ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (SABAH): Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi says the elections will be held on the date, announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan. He said that the return of Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan from abroad has nothing to do with the caretaker government, adding that Nawaz Sharif is the leader of a big political party of Pakistan. Murtaza Solangi said that Nawaz Sharif remained prime minister of the country thrice and he had not gone abroad while illegally fleeing from the country but courts and government had permitted him to go abroad. He said that whatever Pakistan’s law and constitution say; it will be done on 21st October.
In an interview with a private web news channel, Murtaza Solangi said he has full confidence in the ability and leadership of the Election Commission of Pakistan. He said it is not the prerogative of the caretaker government to give election date.
Murtaza Solangi said we are practically going through the phase of election as in the election environment, any party and its leadership have the freedom to give their stance on any important issue.
Murtaza Solangi said all the registered political parties have equal opportunities and the Election Commission and Caretaker Government will ensure equal opportunities for all political parties. He said media and courts are also free in the country.
Meanwhile Murtaza Solangi has reiterated that no government would permit the stay of illegal immigrants in their country.
Talking to a private TV channel, the minister clarified that individuals with legal rights could only reside in Pakistan. He mentioned three categories of Afghan residents residing in Pakistan currently. The first group comprised of individuals who arrived in Pakistan in 1978 and had Proof of Registration cards. While the second category included those Afghans who had been in Pakistan since 2016 and had Afghan citizen cards verified by the previous government of Afghanistan.
The third group, totaling approximately 1.7 million people, entered Pakistan after August 15, 2021, he said, adding among them, some possessed expired visas, while others had entered the country illegally.
To a query, he said most of the illegal immigrants in Pakistan were from Afghanistan.
Murtaza Solangi emphasized that the illegal immigrants must voluntarily leave Pakistan by October 31, as the caretaker government was committed to implementing the law. He stressed that the national interest could not be compromised for the sake of bilateral relations, underscoring that action would be taken indiscriminately against illegal activities.
The minister said a recovery amounting to Rs16 billion was made in the government’s crackdown against electricity theft. He also highlighted the positive impact of administrative actions, leading to a significant reduction in the prices of essential commodities such as oil, sugar, wheat flour, and fertilizer.
Murtaza Solangi reassured the public that the caretaker government was dedicated to the betterment of the country and affirmed their responsibility to continue taking necessary actions.
In response to another query about the upcoming elections, the minister said that the Election Commission of Pakistan bore the responsibility for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in the country.