ISLAMABAD: Ruling out any possibility of the postponement of general election, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Tuesday that general election could be held in the first or second week of May 2013.
There was neither any sign for the postponement of the general election nor any uncertainty in the country in this regard; he said this while talking to a private television channel.
He said that in the presence of free media, independent judiciary, vibrant civil society and independent Election Commission, there was no chance of delaying general election.
The minister said that government would complete its constitutional tenure and added that President of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Mian Nawaz Sharif had also supported our stance, saying that “the government should complete its tenure.”
Responding to a query regarding who would lead the election campaign of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he said that PPP was the name of a movement.
In the past, the Party had been launching its election campaign successfully when cases were made against its leaders by the then caretaker government.
To another question about implementation of Asghar Khan case, he said that Law Ministry would advise the Interior Ministry after going through the detailed judgment.
He said the Interior Ministry would take action in the light of Supreme Court orders.
The Minister pointed out that although President of PML (N) had agreed for investigation of the Asghar Khan case by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), but Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who was the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly had publicly opposed the investigation.
He said that the media, especially senior analysts and journalists should be responsible for opinion making while keeping in view the present situation of the country.
About progress and development of the country, he said that the country was facing economic and security challenges when the present government came into power.
He expressed the confidence that people would vote in favour of the present government on the basis of its performance.
On achievements of the government, he said that terrorism was on its peak in 2008, terrorists had occupied Swat and Malakand while there were apprehensions that militants could control the nuclear assets.
The government successfully overcome the challenges but agreed that still a lot of work could be done, he added.
The Minister said there was shortage of food in 2008 but now the country is exporting wheat and sugar.
He said the revenue recovery had been increased by the efforts of present government.
About Balochistan Government issue, he said the government respected judiciary but two-third majority of members of provincial assembly had reposed confidence into the leadership of Balochistan Chief Minister.
He said that first time in the history of the country, PPP was able for distribution of fiscal resources, adding, the Balochistan Government received Rs 110 billion instead of Rs 40 billion from fiscal pool.
The issue of provincial autonomy had also been resolved which is great achievement of the government, he added.
