The govt would facilitate EC in holding fair and free elections : Syed Ali Zafar

Lahore : Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Syed Ali Zafar Monday said the caretaker government would facilitate the Election Commission in holding of free, fair and peaceful elections.

Talking to mediamen after inaugurating a Calligraphy Exhibition here at Lok Virsa, he said law enforcement agencies would be deployed on the polling day in sensitive constituencies, if need arose. However, if there was no need, the security personnel would not be deployed.  “We have to see what is situation close to the election.”
He said a high powered committee headed by him had been formed to resolve issues of delimitation, policing, administration and finance in the wake of reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
He said after the FATA legislation in the last days of the previous government, FATA was constitutionally merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime minister directed the committee to complete its work soon, he added.
Ali Zafar said a press briefing would be held on Tuesday to inform the nation on the issue of loadshedding. It was responsibility of the government to inform the public about the real situation. “It is job of the government to provide relief to the people in every situation,” he added.
Article 19A gave people the right to get access to information, he said adding people were more aware and knew the reality of issues.

The minister said the government would seek opinion on water issue from experts. He said every political party had a constitutional and legal right to protest, so the government would remain neutral and not come in anybody’s way.
“Everybody should be treated equally and we will not be part of the blame game.”
Ali Zafar further said the caretaker government would work according to its constitutional mandate and try to resolve issues and come up to the expectations of the people. If anybody had complaint, he should come to the government, he added.
Earlier speaking to the audience gathered to see the Calligraphy Exhibition, he appreciated Lok Virsa for its search and identification of Pakistan’s civilization, culture, heritage, arts and oral traditions.
He assured that any issue faced by Lok Virsa would be resolved. Lok Virsa had prepared the archives for preservation of the country’s heritage and culture, he said adding heritage and culture were vital in building of a nation.
He lauded the efforts of giving opportunities to youth to learn arts like calligraphy. “It is our duty to transmit our culture to the next generations.”
He said calligraphy was an ancient and spiritual art and a great heritage of humanity and endeavors should be undertaken to keep the art alive. More institutions were needed to promote and preserve heritage and provincial governments should play their role in encouraging art and artists, he added.