ISLAMABAD, July 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government intends to hold the forthcoming local body elections in a congenial atmosphere. The prime minister was talking to PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain who had called on him at the PM House on Sunday and discussed with him the political situation in the country with particular reference to the forthcoming local body elections and the organizational and party matters of the Pakistan Muslim League.
Mr Aziz said: “We believe in providing a level playing field to all candidates for these elections.”
He apprised the PML president of his recent visit to Sindh province and party matters there.
Both the leaders hoped that the coming LB elections would be held in a free and fair manner and peaceful and conducive atmosphere. The measures taken by the government to tackle the flood situation in the country also came under discussion during the meeting.
Talking to the chairman of National Reconstruction Bureau, Daniyal Aziz, who also called on him, Mr Aziz said that all-out efforts would be made to ensure holding of forthcoming local body elections in a free, fair, impartial and transparent manner.
The prime minister said that the code of conduct to be given by the Election Commission would be enforced in letter and spirit. He added: “No effort would be spared to avoid misuse of power by any candidate.”
He said that a level playing field would be provided to all candidates for the elections. He called upon people to elect honest, upright, hardworking and dedicated individuals who could really transform the country.
Mr Aziz went on to add that the local body elections formed a critical and important part of the devolution process, which the government intended to strengthen.
The NRB chief briefed the prime minister on the salient features of the coming elections. He said the union council was the foundation on which the entire local body system was based.
RELIEF SUPPLIES: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday directed dispatch of relief goods to areas adjacent to the river Chenab in Punjab for people stricken by floods and asked for similar measures to be taken to meet any eventuality downstream in Sindh, APP adds.
Just before his departure for a six-day visit to Germany and Italy, the prime minister visited the cabinet secretariat’s emergency relief cell and directed that relief goods be dispatched immediately to the affected areas.
He was informed that goods worth Rs5 million had been sent which included 2100 ration packs, each enough to feed one family for a week. Other goods dispatched in a convoy of 12 trucks included tents, blankets and other assorted items.
Talking to newsmen, Mr Aziz said the government was trying to mitigate the sufferings of people affected by the floods.
He said owing to long-term measures, the damages had been minimal. He, however, added that more efforts were under way to ensure that the extent of damages in the future was far less.
He said that timely completion of the repair work of Sukkur barrage was also helpful and no significant damage had been reported.
He said the government had earlier dispatched relief goods to the NWFP. He added that the floodwater was heading downstream and that he had directed the authorities to provide relief goods if required by Sindh.
He said the loss of life had been minimal due to timely warning to the people.
