Interim information minister felicitates nation on polls

'Interim to be absolved soon after formation of federal, provincial govts'

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Law Affairs, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar Saturday congratulated the nation, candidates of various political parties on winning free, fair and transparent general election.

In a message broadcast on PTV, the minister said that the ultimate winners of the whole electoral process of general election 2018 were the people of Pakistan.

He said the sessions of national and provincial assemblies would be summoned immediately after the issuance of notification of successful candidates by the Elections Commission of Pakistan. The caretaker government would be absolved from its responsibilities immediately after formation of federal and provincial governments.

He said the persons propagating about pre poll riggings had been answered by the voters themselves. The process of the formation of new federal as well as provincial governments have already been started in light of the verdict given by the people. These new governments would represent each citizen of the country and enjoy people's confidence. He said the main aim of ordering the re polling in some constituencies, where female turn out remained below 10 per cent, was to ensure the participation of women in the electoral process. Congratulating the nation on behalf of caretaker Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Nasirul Mulk and his cabinet for holding free, fair and transparent elections, he said the elected representatives should now ensure progress and prosperity of the country. The minister also congratulated the losing contestants and appreciated their participation and playing their role in strengthening the democratic process.

He said that July 25 was surely a historic day in country's history as the general public had exercised their right to franchise and electing their representatives as per their aspirations.

He lauded the determination, discipline and commitment of voters for questioning their representatives of different constituencies during their election campaign. Every Pakistani felt pride on it.

He said the general election 2018 had many important features including the overwhelming participation of female voters in many areas of the country including rural and far flung areas of the country where their participation was not encouraged.

He said overall atmosphere of elections remained peaceful during the polling process as the whole nation participated in the electoral process considering it their national duty.

The minister also expressed dismay and dejection over the loss of innocent lives in terrorist attacks in Peshawar, Mastung, Bannu and Dera Ismael Khan during election campaign, adding that despite all these cowardly attempts, terrorists could not deter nation's determination.

The minister hailed the contribution of law enforcement agencies including Pakistan Army, Frontier Constabulary and police for extending their services to organise the general elections in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. The whole nation is dejected and condemned the cowardly acts of terrorism. Terrorists have miserably failed to foil nation's commitment to democracy.

He said it is heartening to note that the country has ultimately won. The formation of the government would be in accordance with the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The official notification of results would be issued by the Election Commission after consolidation of the results. Afterwards the sessions of National and Provincial Assemblies would be summoned.

He said the National and provincial assemblies would elect speakers, deputy speakers, prime minister and chief ministers after that the caretaker government would be absolved from its responsibilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2018.