ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government on Wednesday assured the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of a conducive environment as the country heads towards general elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the general elections will be held in January next year, prompting political parties to launch their campaigns for wooing voters and strengthening party ranks.
However, apart from the PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other major political parties have demanded the authorities ensure a “level-playing field” for all.
Interim Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, in his meetings with PPP and PML-N leaders, said the fundamental responsibility of the caretaker government was to provide a conducive environment for polls and monitor the electoral process, according to media reports.
He held separate meetings with PPP’s Syed Akhunzada Chattan and PML-N leader Musadik Malik.
During the meetings, issues of mutual interest, including upcoming general polls, were discussed.
Solangi said that the peaceful transfer of power was the topmost priority of the caretaker government.
He assured both the leaders that the caretaker government would ensure that polls were conducted in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner.
PPP, PML-N Differences
Despite being partners in the last coalition government and demanding PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return, PPP has raised concerns that the ex-premier might be a “special relief”.
Nawaz will return to Pakistan on 21 October, with the PML-N’s legal team being hopeful that he will not have to go to prison despite being a convict and an absconder.
Solangi’s meeting with both the parties’ leaders comes after he met PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood to evolve a consensus on the polls and ease the prevailing tense political environment in the country.
نگران وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات مرتضیٰ سولنگی @murtazasolangiسے مسلم لیگ (ن) کے رہنما مصدق ملک اور پیپلز پارٹی کے رہنما اخونزادہ چٹان کی الگ الگ ملاقاتیں
ملاقاتوں میں آئندہ عام انتخابات سمیت باہمی دلچسپی کے امور پر تبادلہ خیال۔
پرامن انتقال اقتدار ہماری اولین ترجیح ہے، مرتضیٰ سولنگی pic.twitter.com/Jdw7PHq2gF— Team Murtaza Solangi (@MurtazaTeam) October 18, 2023
