Premier Ashraf directs authorities to reinvestigate Baldia Town factory fire case. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Silencing naysayers and stating that the responsibility of next parliamentary elections is entrusted to the government by the people, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has vowed that his party would ensure that the polls are held on time.
“Free and fair general elections will be held on time and there will not be a delay of even a single day because elections are the ‘trust’ of the nation,” the premier said while speaking at a luncheon meeting of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday.
“Nobody will be allowed to harm the democratic process. If anyone tries to create hurdles, he will have to face dire consequences,” he warned.
Promising transparency, the prime minister said the party which gets the public mandate in the next elections would form the government.
About the fluid security situation in the country, Premier Ashraf dispelled the impression that the business community was shifting its investments out of the country.
“Pakistan has the most conducive environment for business. The government is providing protection to businessmen and investors. Police and law enforcement agencies are taking action against extortionists and other criminals.”
He recounted the achievements of the PPP-led coalition government and said that when the party came to power the country was importing 2.6 million tons of wheat and was short of foreign exchange to even import oil.
“Today, we are exporting wheat and have attained food autarky with record exports while inflation has been brought down to a single digit from 25%. The performance of Karachi Stock Exchange has been historic,” he claimed.
‘Reinvestigate Baldia factory fire case’
In relation to the Baldia Town factory fire case, the prime minister directed Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas to reinvestigate the incident that claimed around 250 lives on September 11, and report it to the provincial government.
“It is not the incumbent government’s policy to harass businessmen. Authorities should reinvestigate the case and provide justice to the employers of Ali Enterprises if a wrong case has been registered against the factory owners under Section 302 (murder),” he declared.
Speaking on the occasion, KCCI President Haroon Agar maintained that the fire, which broke out in the garment factory, was an accident but the police registered the case under section 302. “We request you to direct the concerned authorities to review this case,” he said.
The business community also diverted the prime minister’s attention towards cases of extortion and other criminal activities in Karachi — especially threats being given to businessmen.
Separately, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman called on Prime Minister Ashraf at the Governor House on Saturday. During the meeting, Pakistan’s relations with their ally on the war on terror also came under discussion.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.
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