PM resolves writ of law to be ensured
ISLAMABAD – The newly formed 24-member caretaker federal cabinet in its maiden formal meeting here on Saturday spelled out its pre-elections objectives to create a conducive atmosphere for holding free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
The meeting, chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro, directed Information Minister Nisar A. Memon to meet the representatives of print and electronic media with a view to amicably resolving their issues.
Contrary to the expectations, the Information Minister, who is also the spokesman of the cabinet, did not brief the journalists about the decisions taken in the meeting.
Nisar A Memon assumed the charge at the moment when government and media are at crossroads and it is very tough time for him to face the journalists who are protesting the government curbs on media.
Soomro emphasised the basic policy objectives of the government was creation of an enabling and conducive atmosphere for the holding of free, fair and transparent elections, said an official announcement carrying the statement of the Minister for Information.
The Prime Minister said the biggest challenge before the caretaker cabinet is to resolve all issues with the participation of all stakeholders to create a congenial atmosphere to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner and added that it was the historic orderly transition from the elected government to the caretaker cabinet for the first time in the history of the country.
The Information Minister said the Prime Minister urged the nation to join hands in combating the scourge of militancy, terrorism and extremism, so as to create an atmosphere of peace and order for the voters to decide about their future leadership. The Prime Minister expressed his resolve to uphold the rule of law and deal with the violators sternly.
“In order to ensure normalcy, hold peaceful elections and continue the process of economic development in the country uninterrupted, every possible step would be taken”, the Prime Minister said.
The cabinet reiterated that democracy and elections are in Pakistan’s best national interest and the caretaker government shall take every possible step to ensure that this process is not derailed.
It, however, reiterated that it is for the people of Pakistan to decide their political course and elect their rulers and nobody has the right to force any choice on them.
The meeting, therefore, urged those foreign governments urging immediate withdrawal of emergency, to appreciate its constitutional and legal implications and allow Pakistan to go through the electoral process peacefully and transparently, because both the Emergency and the Provisional Constitutional Order are election-oriented, Nisar A. Memon said.
Nisar A. Memon further said Pakistan, the cabinet reiterated, is a strong and sovereign nation that has been playing an important indeed critical role as a responsible member of the international community.
It is trying to move towards complete democracy while fighting an upsurge of terrorism and militancy.
The cabinet felt that for Pakistan to successfully continue its fight against extremism and militancy and yet keep moving forward on the democratic course, it was important that peace and harmony prevailed as violence and protests, if allowed on the streets, could derail the much-desired democratic process.
Earlier, the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and the Chief Secretary of NWFP briefed the Cabinet about the law and order situation in the country.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Syed Afzaal Haider was directed by the cabinet to commence review in a co-ordinated manner with the provincial governments and all concerned for the release of political workers, lawyers, human rights activists and students taken into protective custody since the imposition of emergency.
Nisar A. Memon said the cabinet also expressed concern on the unwarranted statements by certain foreign governments and international organisations relating to the political situation in Pakistan and termed this as in conflict with international norms and devoid of an appreciation of the realities in Pakistan.
Source: The Nation
Date:11/18/2007
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