Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the election of the president would be in line with the law and the Constitution and in accordance with the requirements of the Election Commission. Shaukat Aziz was confident that the ruling PML and the allied parties would have a very comfortable majority.
He said in the next few weeks the most important event would be the election of the president, which would take place between September 15 and October 15.
Addressing the editors and senior journalists at the Governor House here on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government, the legislature and the judiciary are playing their respective roles in the country.
He said the intentions of these three are clear. "The government is functioning, the legislature is functioning and the judiciary is functioning", he remarked adding their roles are clear and that there is no overlap. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the government has highest respect for the judiciary.
Later, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz added, there would be a headway towards the general election in the country. He said this is the first Assembly, which is going to complete its term, and this augurs well for the country. Prime minister said the ruling PML will fully participate in these elections along with the coalition partners and there would be no seat adjustment with any other party.
He also said that we believe in the supremacy of the parliament. Shaukat Aziz said we have contacts with various parties- direct or indirect, within the parliament or outside, with the aim and spirit of national reconciliation in the interest of the country.
Earlier in his opening statement, he said we are fully capable of defending our territorial integrity and we have neither sought anyone's assistance in this respect nor there would be any need for that. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said we would never allow any other country's armed forces for taking any action within our territory. He said as far as our nuclear assets are concerned, they are under a robust command and control mechanism and structure. Shaukat Aziz pointed out that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power and we are fully aware of our responsibilities.
The Prime Minister further said it is our desire that there be peace and development in Afghanistan because such a thing in the neighbouring country would also benefit us. He also said we are not against the 'Madaris' which are playing a major role towards imparting knowledge particularly religious education.
Shaukat Aziz announced that a programme of Darul Ilm is being initiated in the country where the government with the collaboration of public would set up residential schools in areas where schools are less and the income of the people is also low. Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan's population is 160 million and of these 100 million are below the age of 25. He stated that steps are also being taken to improve the education system in the country.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also replied to questions by the editors and the senior journalists. He said a lot of work regarding construction of roads, overhead bridges and underpass has been carried out in Karachi during the past five years. Prime Minister said electricity is one of the vulnerable areas of Karachi and growth in demand of electricity is 10 to 15 percent as against the estimates of seven to eight percent.
He said the 240-mw plant of brand new capacity in Karachi would be coming soon. Shaukat Aziz said we would be getting second hand equipment from the UAE as well free of charge and that some part of this would also be given to Karachi.
To a question, the Prime Minister said now it is a constitutional provision that when an assembly would complete its term and is dissolved by the Leader of the House, an interim set up would conduct the general elections. The logic behind this is holding of the fair, free and impartial elections.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, talking to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim at the Chief Minister House, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that consistency and continuity of policies undertaken by the PML government and its allied parties during the last seven years is critical for the country's future development.
The Prime Minister said a stable political environment is necessary to achieve the economic goals, which the government has set in its recently launched Vision 2030 Programme.
The Prime Minister said the Ramazan package approved by the Cabinet entails subsidy worth Rs 1490 million, which would be provided by the government on basic kitchen items.
He asked the provincial administration to speed up measures for improving the supply of essential commodities to control their prices in the open market as well. Among others, Sindh Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police also attended the meeting.