Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal says the government is committed to hold next general elections on time. Talking to a private television channel, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already assured to hold the next elections without delay.
Ahsan Iqbal said the tenure of existing assemblies will end in mid of next month and the elections will be held in October or November this year. Replying to a question, he said holding elections in October with new data from the census is not possible. However related to this development the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dismissed rumours of disallowing international poll observers in the general elections and said it will welcome national and international observers to monitor upcoming general polls as per tradition. “The ECP, traditionally and as per its mandate, has always welcomed both national and international observers to observe the process of elections to ensure electoral transparency.—Staff Reporter