Opposition to be invited for talks: Election code of conduct
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: The government will invite opposition parties represented in parliament for talks to prepare a code of conduct for the forthcoming general election.
The decision was taken at a meeting held on Saturday between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at the Prime Minister’s House.
The two leaders reiterated their commitment to hold the polls on schedule to strengthen the democratic system in the country.
Mr Hussain in a media interaction the other day had announced the next general election would be held in January 2008.
At the meeting, the PML chief endorsed the idea of developing a unanimous code of conduct to ensure free and transparent polls, saying it would lead to a healthy political atmosphere and strengthen democratic forces in the country.
He said the coalition between the PML and allied parties was committed and cohesive and would contest the next election on the basis of its performance.
Later, talking to journalists at the PML House, Mr Hussain said the invitation for talks on the election code of conduct would be extended only to those politicians who were present in the country. Parties which had no representation in parliament would also not be invited, he added.
Replying to a question, he ruled out early election.
Answering another question, the PML chief said he and the prime minister would jointly extend the invitation to opposition parties. But, he did not say when the parties would be invited for talks on the code of conduct.
Mr Aziz said the PML and its allied partners were committed to resolving important national issues through dialogue.
He said the coalition encouraged different points of view and the coalition partners were committed to promoting the process of democracy and development so as to ensure continuity and consistency of policies which had benefited the country and enabled it to proceed on the path of growth, prosperity and harmony.
Mr Hussain also welcomed the government’s initiative to reduce the price of DAP fertilizer by Rs250 per bag, saying it would go a long way in increasing agricultural production in the country and augment the income of the farming community.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Mohammad Ali Durrani also attended the meeting.
