Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti on Saturday said that upcoming general elections would be held by mid of May 2013, adding consensus on the name of interim chief minister would be made in next two or three days. Addressing the oath taking ceremony of the elected cabinet of Peshawar Press Club (PPC) here at the Chief Minister's House, he said negotiations on developing consensus on the name of caretaker chief was in final phase.
He said that both government and opposition had proposed some names for the probable interim chief minister of the province. The ceremony besides, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussein was also attended by Secretary Information Azmat Hanif, Provincial Secretary Information, ANP, Malik Ghulam Mustafa and Director Information Shoaibuddin.
The chief minister said that soon he would hold meeting with opposition leader, Akram Khan Durrani to make efforts for evolving consensus on the name of interim chief minister while adhering to traditions as well as challenges faced by the province. He said a complete impartial and undisputed personality would be picked up to establish a good interim set-up to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in the province.
He said unlike previous elections the chances of across the province electoral alliance were bleak and there were chances of alliances at regional level. However, the chances of national or provincial electoral alliance for the upcoming general elections were unlikely. The CM said all major political parties were contesting elections with big expectations and hinting at winning not less than 40 general seats from the province, adding that some political parties expecting commanding position were stumbling blocks in the formation of electoral alliances.
He said keeping in view the political situation in the province, he was expecting the formation of coalition government comprising at least three political parties. The CM said for the first time in the history of Pakistan a democratic setup was completing its constitutional period, adding that on the expiry of the period, he would happily go back to his home-town Mardan and would thank Allah for hard and good time passed during the government.
While appreciating the role of media, he said media never accepted every decision and always played its due role in a very balance manner and guided both society and the government. He said speaking and supporting truth was tantamount of holy war and journalist community of the province had played the same role. In response to the demands of President, PPC, Nasir Hussein, the CM announced increasing the amount of annual grant from Rs 3 million to Rs 5 million and provision of plots to 120 additional members in the upcoming residential colonies schemes of the provincial government.