Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk assured on Friday that elections in Pakistan will be timely and transparent. The caretaker prime minister spoke briefly with journalists following his oath-taking ceremony, telling them he would fulfill the responsibility he had come for. Top government officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony, including former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasii, the chiefs of staff, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, and others. Following the ceremony, PM Nasir-ul- Mulk received a guard of honour at Prime Minister House.
The 14th National Assembly dissolved on May 31 and its members all became yesterday’s men and women. Now new members will join National Assembly after the next general elections. There were many lows and ups for the PMLN government, but it is pleasant development that government has successfully completed its tenure. During the 2014 mammoth sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek it was being speculated that government would not be able to complete its tenure. After Panama verdict and ouster of then Prime Minister and Chairman of PMLN Nawaz Sharif there were again speculations that party may decide to go for early elections. But despite all the challenges and hardships government faced, it is a welcoming sign that another elected government has completed the full term.
It is only the second National Assembly under civilian rule which completed its tenure. This is another significant milestone on the democratic road; the third successive civilian government will emerge after the elections. Smooth transition of elected governments contains vital importance for strengthening democracy in the country. We hope that caretaker setup under the well reputed caretaker Prime Minister Nasir ul Mulk will utilize all available resources to ensure free and transparent elections. But it would be a challenging task as it is a bad trend in the country that political parties usually without solid evidences accuse each other for rigging and manipulation in the general elections to affect the results.
It is refreshing statement by the caretaker Prime Minister that timely and transparent would be held on July 25 the date Election Commission of Pakistan has already announced. All the political parties also urging for timely elections and have rejected any delaying tactics. Timely and transparent election is the only way forward to further strengthen democracy in the country.
Timely and transparent elections will strengthen democracy in the country.