Govt kick-starts talks on elections
23 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the core committee of the PPP held in the Prime Minister's House on Tuesday carried out an in-depth review of the political situation in the country with a focus on holding of free and fair elections in accordance with the law and Constitution.
The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and attended by former prime minister Yosuaf Raza Gilani, Senator Jahangir Badar, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Syed Naveed Qamar, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Farooq H Naek, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto, Makhdoom Shahbuddin, Moula Baksh Chandio, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and Senator Farhatullah Babar.
The meeting resolved that free and fair elections will be held in accordance with the constitution in a fair and free manner and within the time limit stipulated in the constitution and will not be delayed even for a day. The meeting urged the prime minister to hold consultations with all political forces on the mode and modalities for holding elections to the national and provincial assemblies in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
Prime Minister Raja decided to formally start the consultation process for this purpose. The meeting felicitated the prime minister for handling of the situation in Balochistan and the recent threats mounted by some elements to postpone the elections. The prime minister will also meet a delegation of the parliamentarians from Balochistan soon.
Prime Minister Raja said that the general election will be held on time and will be conducted under the supervision of an independent election commission.
Addressing the participants of the National Security and War Course 2012-13 at the National Defence University (NDU), the prime minister reaffirmed that the government was committed to holding of a free, fair and transparent election. He said that the elected government was completing its tenure despite challenges, and the nation was all poised for the general election.
Raja termed it "a defining moment" in national history and said the government has pursued a policy of strategic patience, toleration and reconciliation to lay a foundation for sustainable and stable political system in the country.
The prime minister noted that the forces of doom and gloom thrive in an environment of chaos, uncertainty and instability. "We need to guard against all such forces who are out to derail the system so assiduously put in place after a protracted struggle," he told the participants.
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