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Sunday, January 06, 2013
‘Caretaker set-up after consultation with stakeholders’* Information minister says PPP ready for dialogue with anyone, even Taliban
LAHORE: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Saturday that the caretaker set-up would be formed after consultation with all the stakeholders.
Talking to the media after the 75th foundation day ceremony of Radio Pakistan Lahore, Kaira said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was always ready for dialogue with anyone, even with the Taliban.
Replying to a question, he said that the nation was worried about the announcement of long march by Tehreek Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.
“He should rather approach the Election Commission if he has any objections to the electoral process,” he added.
Kaira questioned Dr Qadri’s move when the government was working in accordance with the constitution, the opposition was playing its due role, and the Election Commission and the judiciary were independent.
Kaira said Qadri should first decide about taking part in the elections and then get his party registered with the Election Commission in line with the constitutional process.
He said that anything against the constitution would be unacceptable and all the suggestions within the domain of constitution would be welcomed. He said that the constitution had clearly defined the procedure for a caretaker set-up. “Both the opposition and the government are part of parliament, which represents the nation so it is their right to decide about the caretakers,” the minister said.
He said it was the right of people to decide about their leadership through vote and there was no room for any undemocratic practice in the country. Clerics and vice chancellors cannot decide the political fate of the country, he added.
Kaira said that the PPP was pursuing the reconciliation policy as it believed in the unity of people and not of their division. The PPP has kept all its coalition partners on board while taking decisions, he added.
To a question about differences among the coalition partners, he said differences remained in alliances but it did not mean that the alliance was being split. Kaira said Mahmood Achakzai was a respectable personality but his movement was not for democratic. He reiterated that elections would not be delayed and would be held on time.
He said the tenure of the present government was ending on March 16 and the elections would be held within 50 to 60 days after that date.
Replying to a question, he said that names for 8th Wage Board for newspaper industry had been sent for approval to the authorities concerned.
Earlier, he congratulated the workers and the administration of Radio Pakistan for their performance and said they had provided good entertainment to the nation with limited resources.
He hoped that Radio Pakistan would soon be succeeded in restoring its status of being the best radio service.
Later, he addressed a programme organised to pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB). He lauded the contributions of ZAB for the nation and democracy. He also cut a cake to mark the 85th birth anniversary of ZAB. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk