Zulfikar Mirza's allegations: Prime Minister receives Malik's letter on formation of JC

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, meeting journalists at his Defence residence here on Sunday said that free, fair and transparent elections have always been in the interest of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which, he said, was popular among the people and has its deep roots in all four provinces of the country including and Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Balitistan. Emphasising an independent election commission he said that all the political parties including parliament have complete confidence in the present Election Commission.
He ruled out the possibility of holding any mid-term election, saying that provinces in writing had admitted that environment was not conducive for holding of even a by-election.
Regarding holding of local government elections, he said that PPP would convince other parliamentary parties including PML-N to hold local government election prior to the next general election.
The Prime Minister said that Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik had sent a facsimile (fax) to the Prime Minister's office on Saturday night, urging for constitution of a judicial commission regarding allegations levelled against him by Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.
With respect to formation of voters' list the prime minister said that Election Commission had informed him that computerised voters' list would be ready by April 2012.
Gilani said that for reconciliation it was up to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to take a decision.
He said that all parliamentarians were consulted and taken into confidence on execution of mega projects stating PPP had asked its parliamentarians to execute five percent of their development funds through party workers in their respective areas.
He said that his party was not only looking after the masses vide various Federal Government departments in execution of projects including gas, electricity and poverty alleviation, but was also benefiting from the expertise of its party cadres in different sectors.
He said that he had vast experience, remaining in several governments, parliaments and being a Speaker of the National Assembly, adding that no government ever gave attention to the opposition with regard to release of developmental funds. He said that the present government had the credit of ensuring equitable distribution of funds among all parliamentarians. He dubbed Dr Zulifqar Mirza, as a committed party man and rejected the notion that he would form a new party. He appreciated Mirza, stating that while criticising, he resigned from party offices and ministry.