KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Information Minister Jameel Yusuf has rejected the allegations, and apprehensions, levelled by the Pakistan Peoples Party against him after his comments on a violent protest in a small area of Lyari during the election rally of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, he condemned the violence and use of stones or sticks, and said there was no question of condoning any such incident.

He further stated that no specific statement against the PPP or any other party was made by him and the statement being referred to was a generalised reply to a question asked by the media about holding fair election owing to the Lyari incident.

‘Candidates must coordinate with the district administration to plan and ensure security of their campaigns’

He said he had shown apprehension about the overall security situation and the government was bound to uphold and ensure the code of ethics, as identified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), with the support of all parties.

He said that various intelligence agencies and the ECP had issued terror alert warnings and candidates must coordinate with the district administration to plan and ensure the safety of their campaigns.

He said there would be no compromise or leniency shown to anyone involved in any act of violence and destruction of property of individuals and/or government. The law enforcement agencies would ensure the provision of timely security of all candidates.

He said that the patience and tolerance shown by the PPP workers to avert the clash was “exemplary”. The police also effectively handled the situation and diverted the procession.

He said that the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and other contestants had dubbed the caretaker set-up as an extension of the PPP rule, though the caretaker set-up was apolitical, inducted only to ensure proper and effective functioning of the ministries in their domain. The caretaker ministers were also available to receive any complaint of partiality or negligence.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2018