ISLAMABAD, May 16: Caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso said on Thursday that transfer of power to the newly elected government would be completed within the stipulated time in accordance with the constitution and the will of people.

Presiding over possibly the last meeting of the caretaker cabinet held to review the conduct of elections, he said the interim set-up had taken all constitutional and legal steps in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan and government institutions to ensure peace during the election process.

“The elections were held on time as promised by the caretaker government and the Election Commission,” Mr Khoso said.

He praised the people for bravely and fearlessly participating in the elections. “It is proved that militancy and sectarianism can be defeated with the spirit of collective wellbeing of the people,” he said.

The cabinet reviewed the events planned for the upcoming visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang who will arrive in Pakistan on May 22 after a three-day visit to India.

The cabinet approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a long-term plan on Pakistan-China economic corridor which will effectively and efficiently catalyse economic growth and create employment opportunities for the region.

It approved the signing of an MoU on cooperation in the field of marine science and technology between the State Oceanic Administration of China and Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The proposed MoU provides for broader guidelines with its objectives, priority areas, modes and modalities of cooperation for both sides to follow implementation of specific programmes of cooperation.

The cabinet gave the go-ahead to negotiations with Austria on code of practice for cooperation in return of Pakistanis to their country.

It approved initiation of negotiations with Maldives on a draft MoU on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking and abuse of drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors.

The cabinet agreed in principle to the national policy for overseas Pakistanis aimed at protecting, conserving and providing sustainable tools to improve the quality of life of Pakistanis working in different countries. The policy also aims to create opportunities and an environment for safe investment and facilitate/motivate foreign remittances through legal channels and to protect their assets. It will facilitate overseas Pakistanis to contribute to development of the country.

The policy was referred to the law ministry which would examine it and send it back to the cabinet for approval.