IN an interview, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cleared the mist surrounding several important issues including the general election, the nature of the caretaker set-up and 09 May attacks on military installations. The clear-cut stance of the PM on these issues comes as the government is taking pains to do necessary legislation before dissolution of the National Assembly and launch crucial policies and programmes as part of the strategy to stabilize the national economy. It is hoped that the firm pronouncements of the Prime Minister would go a long way in removing doubts and creating a congenial atmosphere for the conduct of the general election.
It has been clarified, time and again, by the leadership of the coalition partners as well as the cabinet members that the government would not seek an extension in its tenure and that the National Assembly is going to be dissolved on completion of its five-year term. However, rumour mongering continues with some circles fearing the polls might be delayed in case notification of the results of the new population census is issued, necessitating fresh delimitation of the constituencies as per requirements of the Constitution. However, during his interview, the Prime Minister was quite categorical on the issue, assuring he had no intention to delay elections, not even on the issue of the new census. “If notification regarding the new census is issued and even if the new census is notified, it would be up to the Election Commission of Pakistan to handle the issue,” he added. Shehbaz Sharif pointed out that the term of the assembly is expiring on August 12 and it would be dissolved before that, confirming oft-repeated reports that the government intends to dissolve the lower house ahead of the expiry of the tenure to have 90 days for electioneering. However, the exact date for the general election would be announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which has been mandated to do so under an amendment in the relevant law. There were also speculations that the PML(N) wanted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as the interim Prime Minister to ensure continuity of policies and reforms introduced by the incumbent government during the last sixteen months. However, the Prime Minister laid such rumours to rest by ruling out Dar’s candidature for the coveted slot, saying a neutral person would be selected to lead the interim set-up to make upcoming the general election transparent. No doubt, Ishaq Dar is a thorough professional and suited for the delicate assignment but it is also a reality that his appointment would have made the outcome of the electoral exercise controversial because of his affiliation with the PML(N). By emphasizing that a neutral caretaker Prime Minister should be appointed to make the election results credible, the Prime Minister has agreed to the viewpoint of his coalition partners that a non-partisan politician should lead the interim government. There are also reports of short-listing of five names for the purpose and that a name would be finalized through mutual consultations among the coalition partners as well as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. However, the Prime Minister held out an assurance that there would be an efficient caretaker Government at the centre and this is understandable as the role and powers of the interim set-up has been strengthened through an amendment in the law. The PM, who is also President of PML(N) also stated that the party will make seat adjustments with any other political party, including PPP and JUI-F, for polls. He said the ruling PML-N will field its own candidates where there will be no need for seat adjustment. The premier also recounted achievements of the coalition government – saving the country from default, restoring its status and dignity in the comity of nations, signing of crucial agreements with the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan, launching of revolutionary initiatives to attract foreign investment and spur economic growth and providing relief to the salaried class/pensioners as well as other segments of the society in the budget for current financial year. Based on authentic information, the Prime Minister revealed that the May 09 incident was a conspiracy against the Pakistan Army and the Chief of Army Staff, repeating stance of the Government that the cases of those who attacked the civilian installations, would be tried in anti-terrorism courts and of those who attacked the military installations would face cases in military courts. The remarks of the Prime Minister on these issues convey a clear message that the focus is now shifting to elections and rightly so as people would be making a choice for the next five years and they ought to make an informed choice.
