News
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Government wants to see parliament strong: Raja* PM says government committed to holding free and fair elections
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said he wanted parliament to become a powerful institution like independent media and judiciary.
He said this while addressing an iftar dinner hosted for media people at the Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister said that election was the only way forward for betterment of the country, adding that appointment of the new chief election commissioner was a proof for the fact that “we are heading in the right direction” and that it had sent a positive message.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to holding free and fair elections. He said political forces had no option but to move forward through election, adding that holding free and fair elections would strengthen parliament and expressed hope that the government would achieve that target as it had achieved other milestones in the past.
He said the government was least bothered about who would be elected by the people of the country in the next polls, adding that a fair electoral process was the only way to add strength to the institution of parliament.
He ruled out rigging in the elections in the presence of an independent election commission, a vibrant media and awareness in the people.
Raja termed democracy as the only solution to the crises of the country, saying it t was a time-tested system adopted by the world.
He said he welcomed criticism from the media with an open heart as it was the right of the media to pinpoint the weaknesses of the government. However, he appealed that facts should not be distorted by sensationalising news.
He urged the media to keep alive the ray of hope, saying that hopelessness destroyed societies and countries.
The prime minister on Monday also inaugurated tunnel-breaking machines at the Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project. Speaking on this occasion, he said the power-shortage crisis should not be used for political motives.
Raja said, "Every one should join hands to find solution to the energy crisis, instead of doing politics on this issue." He said that President Asif Ali Zardari had been taking personal interest in finding a permanent solution to the energy crisis.
He further said the president had directed the government to focus on increasing power generation, especially hydropower, which was the cheapest. staff report/app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk