“The army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard,” says Kayani. PHOTO: AFP
In what appears to be a move aimed at quelling growing divisions in the province, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday urged all political parties in Balochistan to participate in the upcoming elections.
Arriving in the provincial capital of Quetta, Kayani held in depth meetings with Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai.
According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meetings discussed the conduct of the upcoming general elections and the overall security situation in the province. General Kayani reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding free, fair and peaceful elections.
He assured the provincial leadership that the armed forces would welcome an “all inclusive elections” in the province. Kayani emphasised the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections, and was quoted in the statement as saying “The army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard.”
The army chief’s statement came just weeks before what many believe will be a historic democratic transition from one civilian administration to another.
A military official told The Express Tribune that the army strongly believes that the revival of political activities in Balochistan would help address the longstanding problems of the province. Balochistan’s nationalist parties boycotted the general elections in 2008. However, there are growing signs that many are now willing to participate in the May 11 polls.
The chief of Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who recently returned home ending a four-year self imposed exile, hinted at his party’s participation in the election process. But Mengal’s party is under pressure from radical nationalists to stay away from the polls.
Nevertheless, many political parties including National Party, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and Jamat-e-Islami have already announced their participation in the elections, including the candidates they plan to field in the upcoming polls.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2013.
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Thanks Pak Army, We all love you
Is a General supposed to ask participation of political parties in coming election process? This has always been a dilemma that actual responsibility is bypassed and some how mingle in the civil affairs. We have not learnt from the history so far. We need to abide by the given constitution of Pakistan which doesnot allow anyother than a civilian adminsitrator to call for such process.
Actually, there should be a Constitutional amendment to the effect of limiting elected governments tenure to four years to be followed by an year of military rule for cleaning up after democratic misrule and corruption and for a holding a free, fair, and impartial elections for transferring power to the next elected government.
Kayani is the most suited General and Army Chief for promoting all-inclusive elections. He is overwhelmingly in favor of democracy, even if the country is mismanaged through democracy.
akhtar mangal bnp(m) np pkmap did not bycott the 2008 elections, the filded indepedent candidates pkmap voted for their favourite candidates.
Thank you General Kayani for your continued sacrifices! 3 more years!