Newly appointed caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said on Friday that the Election Commission of Pakistan was \u201csolely\u201d responsible for holding elections, not the interim government. \u201cElections are the responsibility of the ECP. Whether they choose to conduct them in 90 days or in February, we will not prolong our stay even by a single minute,\u201d he said during a press conference following the cabinet meeting. The ECP had on Thursday decided to conduct fresh delimitation of constituencies, making it almost certain that general elections may not be held within the constitutionally stipulated limit of 90 days. According to a schedule issued by the ECP,\u00a0the electoral watchdog will complete the delimitation exercise by mid-December. At his presser today, Solangi said the interim government was committed to providing \u201cfull cooperation\u201d to the ECP in order to guarantee impartial and transparent elections throughout the country. He affirmed the commitment of the caretaker government to address the nation\u2019s challenges tirelessly, alongside its dedication to uphold the principles of \u201cfree and fair\u201d elections. Solangi also confirmed his meeting with the chief election commissioner, affirming the interim government\u2019s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive cooperation. He emphasised that the interim setup was prepared to await further instructions from the ECP. However, he appended that the country\u2019s population stood at 225 million, and thus the government shoulders distinct responsibilities, including upholding law and order. \u201cWhile we narrowly avoided slipping into default, we are resolute in avoiding actions that could further destabilise the country\u2019s economy.\u201d The information minister emphasised that the current caretaker government \u201chas no authority\u201d to reverse decisions made by the previous administration. \u201cWe are not empowered to alter the economic or political direction, so our focus is on upholding the continuity of established practices,\u201d he told journalists. He mentioned that the prime minister had, however, established an economic restoration committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Energy, the Investment Facilitation Council, and other pertinent ministries and departments. \u201cThis committee will oversee the economic restoration process,\u201d he elaborated. Defending the recently sworn-in caretaker cabinet, Solangi highlighted that the new cabinet\u2019s size was notably smaller in comparison to the previous two administrations. \u201cI can confidently state that the majority of individuals within the cabinet are professionals in their respective fields,\u201d he added. He said that during the cabinet meeting, a clear emphasis was placed on the principle of not escalating expenditures, as \u201cwe do not have moral grounds to do so\u201d. He shared that the prime minister also engaged in discussions with each interim minister concerning their respective portfolios. Emphasising the importance of economic matters, he quoted the premier as saying that the caretaker government would prioritise them. \u201cThe prime minister has also affirmed that the matter of Kashmir is intrinsic to our identity, and we cannot afford to overlook it, nor do we intend to do so,\u201d the minister added. Regarding the Jaranwala incident, he conveyed that during the cabinet meeting, the prime minister affirmed that all citizens in Pakistan possess equal rights. He also emphasized that no sect would be subjected to injustice. \u201cWe are committed to preventing the disrespect of any religion in the name of religion. The state stands alongside the oppressed. While we may be in the majority, we firmly reject any form of majoritarian behaviour,\u201d he quoted the prime minister as expressing. Responding to a query, Solangi acknowledged the undeniable reality of economic distress, poverty, and hunger. He highlighted that those closely observing the situation recognise that \u201cour conditions worsened progressively after 2015-16\u201d. \u201cI comprehend that when there\u2019s an increase in petrol and diesel prices, it triggers a surge of inflation \u2014 a reality we must confront.\u201d He clarified that a programme Pakistan entered with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) entailed certain commitments, including reduced subsidies. \u201cConsidering our foreign exchange reserves\u2019 status, it\u2019s unfeasible for a country like ours to purchase costly oil and then sell it at a lower price,\u201d he said. Responding to a question about the arrest of PTI leaders, Solangi stated that the government \u201chas no policy\u201d as the matter was pending in court, while legal and investigative bodies were also diligently conducting their duties. He emphasised that the government remained impartial and would refrain from engaging in any partisan activities, asserting, \u201cWe will neither expedite these cases nor impede their progress.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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