Prominent political workers, journalists, educationalists jurists, social scientists, speaking at a national seminar on "Prerequisites of Timely & Transparent Elections 2018", have urged the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan to leave no stone unturned for holding transparent and credible up-coming general elections on time to ensure smooth transfer of power to the elected representatives of the nation.
The seminar organized by Pakistan Institute of National Affairs (PINA) at Punjab University was presided over by eminent lawyer Shahid Hamid. The speakers included Barrister Zafarullah Khan Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Professor Dr Zakaria Zakir Vice Chancellor Punjab University, Ehsan Wyne ANP Leader, Ejaz Ahmad Ch. PTI Leader, Mujibur Rehman Shami, Rauf Tahir, Dr Hussain Ahmad Piracha, Major Eraj Zakaria (retd), Professor Nizam Uddin Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission, Muhammad Mehdi PML-N Leader and Sajjad Mir.
Altaf Hassan Qureshi Secretary General PINA said that present situation portrays a positive picture on the surface; all political parties and the establishment, besides the judiciary want election to be conducted on time and in a transparent manner. He however cautioned that some elements are spreading negative views to pollute the atmosphere. He hoped that all institutions will be on the same page to provide even-level field for political parties. Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Legal Initiatives, Barrister Zafarullah Khan informed that the parliament passed Election Act 2017 and constitutional amendment for empowering Election Commission of Pakistan with financial and administrative autonomy and strong legal infrastructure for holding General Election in a transparent manner. But regrettably Election Commission of Pakistan has banned the development projects and recruitments suggesting pre-poll rigging.
PTI's Ejaz Ahmad Ch questioned how transparent elections could be ensured when SHOs were appointed after interviews at Jati Umra. Punjab University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Zakaria Zakir said he, as a social scientist, feels that visibility of the institutions is negatively affecting their credibility. Mujibur Rehman Shami said we are witnessing a complex situation urging civil society to strive for defeating ulterior motives of the nefarious elements that are bent upon to undermine the democratic process.