Transfer of power to new govt by June 2: Nizami

PM Khoso takes exception to anti-federation statements, urges restraint.

ISLAMABAD:

As the country eagerly awaits the first democratic transition of power, the caretaker administration announced on Monday that all powers would be transferred to the newly elected government by June 2. 

The announcement was made by the caretaker information minister, Arif Nizami, at a news conference in Islamabad. He said the caretaker set-up should be given credit for holding elections on May 11 despite rumours of a delay in elections and the threat from elements hell bent on sabotaging the election process.

Two days after the historic elections, Nizami informed the media that in the next phase, sessions of the national and provincial assemblies would be summoned for oath-taking of elected representatives.

The minister said that a voter turnout of over 60% was a big improvement over the last elections and the credit goes to citizens who enthusiastically participated in the democratic process despite terrorist threats.

Nizami lauded the role of the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, adding that even though violence was witnessed in the run-up to the elections, miscreants failed to derail the democratic process.

About reports of delay in the start of polling and rigging allegations, Nizami said the election tribunals would pass judgments on a case by case basis.

Anti-federation statements

Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Monday said that statements by any political group which provoke violence or foment anti-federation feelings are highly detrimental to the national integrity at this critical juncture of our history.

Urging all sides to uphold the Constitution, the interim premier expressed confidence that political parties and the people of the country would show restraint and ensure smooth transition of power to elected representatives in democratic traditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.