ISLAMABAD: “The interim government will not accept extension under any circumstances” said Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khoso on Friday night in his first televised speech to the nation.
According to TheNewsTribe’s correspondent from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad “Justice (Retd), Mir Hazar Khan Khoso said the caretaker government would not accept extension in its tenure at any cost and under any circumstances assuring holding of free, fair and impartial elections on May 11”.
Pakistani Prime Minister appealed to the nation to actively participate in the electoral process to bring the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
Mr. Khoso eulogized the political leaders and parties, saying it is a right of every Pakistani to express his opinion by exercising the right to vote and it will be their endeavor that a voter is able to cast vote according to free choice and freedom.
“Whole world is focusing on Pakistan’s general elections as Observers from different countries are coming here and the nation would have to prove with their attitude that Pakistanis are responsible, democratic and peace loving people.”
Prime Minister Khoso said his address is at a very important juncture when the people of Pakistan are going to exercise their right to vote in general elections and added it is mandate of caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to achieve this objective and all necessary measures are being adopted.
“We will ensure that sanctity of vote is maintained. I have instructed all government departments and officials to remain impartial,” Prime Minister Khoso maintained.
With regard to maintenance of peace and security, he said it is an important priority for the caretaker government under its constitutional mandate.
He said elections are a few days away and people will elect their representatives on May 11 under the supervision of ECP which is independent and impartial and capable of meeting any challenge during the electoral process.
“Through holding of elections in Balochistan, I strongly believe that sense of deprivation among the residents will be removed which would also help forge national unity,” Prime Minister Khoso said.
“The elected representative government can understand the problems of the people. The people should actively partake in the election process so that the dream of founding father of the nation to make Pakistan a prosperous and progressive country can be fully materialized,” the PM said.
Prime Minister Khoso said he strongly condemns terrorism and to control this menace, the government was taking all steps.
He said although according to the constitution, maintenance of law and order falls under domain of the provincial governments but he is in constant touch with all Caretaker Chief Ministers and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) so that electoral process could be conducted peacefully.
He said the government has prepared plans for deployment of army and quick action force to meet any eventuality during elections which will respond immediately when required.
A special cell has been established in Ministry of Interior which will collect intelligence reports and share it with provincial governments and LEAs, he said and added this cell is also empowered to take decisions for timely action if needed.
The Prime Minister said all resources will be used to improve security of sensitive polling stations and their effective monitoring.
Expressing his concern on outbreak of measles in different parts of the country, said that directions have been issued to the provincial authorities to adopt effective measures in collaboration with the federal government to control this deadly disease.
With the grace of Almighty Allah, the government would eradicate life crippling diseases like polio and measles, he pronounced.
Referring to load shedding issue, Prime Minister Khoso said that the main reason behind the problem is the gap between the supply and demand and the caretaker government had inherited the power crises, however, he was optimistic that through pro-active measures, the problem can be addressed.
The Prime Minister said that he has instructed the ministry of Finance to provide Rs 45 billion for supply of furnace oil to the power generating plants, hoping this would provide relief to the masses.
He said that he had also instructed the ministry of Water and Power to ensure uninterrupted power supply for 36 hours on the Election Day so that casting and counting of votes processes could be completed smoothly.
Prime Minister Khoso said that he has instructed the Ministry of Finance to prepare public friendly and realistic budget with austerity measures to ensure judicious use of nation’s resources.
“Lavish spending should be avoided in the budget while public welfare be given priority with no extra burden on the poor,” the PM said.
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