MINGORA: Caretaker Prime Minister retired Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk on Sunday said his top priority was to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

He made the comments in Swat, at his house in Gulkada, Saidu Sharif, where he met several people from the valley that included members of civil society, lawyers and workers from various political parties. The PM said he was glad that the people of Swat had celebrated his appointment to the important office as head of the interim set-up.

He said that during his two-month stint, he would make sure that the affairs of the country run smoothly. “I will try my best to carry out my constitutional responsibilities — to hold and supervise the general elections in a free, fair, neutral and transparent environment in July, and to hand over the government to those who win a majority in parliament.”

Mulk assures elders problems of the area will be taken care of

During his meeting, a few elders from underdeveloped parts of the valley spoke with him about the major issues of the Malakand division.

They pointed to the slow construction of the road from Chakdara to Khwazakhela as a major problem. The premier assured them that that he would take up the matter with the departments concerned and ask them to speed up the process.

Some people asked Mr Mulk to also consider the problems the local population faced due to extended periods of unscheduled power cuts. They said that during the month of Ramazan the impact of load-shedding was extremely difficult to deal with. The PM agreed that the issue was indeed a huge cause for concern, and that he was going to discuss it with the Peshawar Electric Supply Company.

Several of the people who met the prime minister said that they were glad that he had taken the time out to meet them and listen to their problems.

“We discussed in detail the major issues, including load-shedding and the poor condition of roads. The PM promised to talk to the departments concerned,” said Muhammad Zareen, one of the gentlemen who had met Justice Mulk.

“His appointment as caretaker prime minister is the right step. He represents the real — liberal — face of Pakhtuns and Swat, which has been a place known for its democratic values,” said Wajid Ali Khan, a former provincial minister and Awami National Party leader after meeting the premier.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2018