All political parties should participate in polls: Amjad

The caretaker Minister for Inter-Provincial Co-ordination Dr Mohammad Amjad has said that all the political parties should participate in the upcoming elections. "The country is passing through a critical juncture and those talking about boycott of the polls are neither well wishers of the country nor the people," he told APP during an interview here on Wednesday.
The minister said that continuation of political process was a must for strengthening of democracy and development of the country adding that "we are passing through a transitional stage and any wrong step or decision at this time can damage the political process.
The minister said that the politics of agitation and confrontation has damaged the country and democratic process to a great extent. He said after doffing off the uniform by the President there was no justification with the opposition parties to boycott the elections. Dr Mohammad Amjad said that the time has come to forget all the past differences and work together for development of the motherland and strengthening of democracy.
To a question about the role of Inter-Provincial Co-ordination ministry, he said that the ministry was established to promote provincial harmony and take practical steps for resolving various issues among the federating units.
He said that after thorough deliberations on the issue of provincial autonomy with representatives of all the political parties, concrete steps should be taken to meet the aspirations of the provinces. "The matter does not belong to the present government alone but it is a national issue and every one has the responsibility to work for securing national interests," he said.
Dr Amjad said there were provisions in 1973 Constitution on provincial autonomy. "But unfortunately the previous regimes never paid any heed to the vital issue and made no serious efforts for its resolution," he added.
The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Co-ordination during the last one year did a lot of work on the vital issue of provincial autonomy and held meetings with all the political parties to resolve the issue to some extent but the bill could not be tabled before the National Assembly due to an uncertain situation in the country, he said.
To a question about performance of Ministry of IPC, he said that the ministry held four meetings during the last one year. He said that the Ministry enhanced job quota of the people of Balochistan in federal services from 3.5 percent to six percent besides resolving the issue of subsidy on drinking water tube wells.
He said that the issues of fishery and water between Balochistan and Sindh have been resolved besides development of inland coastal fishing industry of Balochistan and Sindh to promote and protect the fishermen of Balochistan who are adversely affected by piracy of tuna fish resources.
The issue of distribution of tax revenue has also been resolved and now provincial had 50 percent share of the divisible pool as against 33 percent in the past, he said.
The Minister said that the issue of transfer of fishing rights in Chashma Barrage waters from Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA to the Punjab province has also been resolved. Same fishing rights have been given to NWFP at Tarbela reservoir.
For public convenience, check posts on either side of the Attock Bridge on Indus River were abolished, he added. He said that all the issues between the federation and provinces should come to the Inter-Provincial Co-ordination Ministry so that these can be resolved.