Free, fair, transparent elections interim govt’s ‘mandate’

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said conducting free, fair, and transparent elections was the mandate of the caretaker government.

“All-out assistance, including resources, administrative assistance, and security, will be provided to the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold the general elections within the given timeframe,” the minister said while talking to a private channel.

He said the ECP was responsible for providing a level-playing field to all political parties, adding that it was clearly stated in the Constitution that the country would be run by the elected representatives.

The minister expressed the resolve to ensure implementation of the electoral watchdog’s instructions.

To a query, he termed the objections on Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad “wrong and baseless”. “If he had association with anyone, he would not have become a minister for three to four months,” he added.

On the ongoing crackdown against power thieves, he said the drive would not only reduce the circular debt significantly, but also provide relief to the masses.

He said the caretaker government had the legal authority to carry out privatisation of those state-owned entities that were approved by the previous regime.