RAWALPINDI: Caretaker Federal Minister for Law and Justice Syed Ali Zafar on Tuesday reiterated the commitment of the caretaker government to hold elections on July 25 and said that anti-state elements wanted to derail the process but they would be opposed.

“We have also countered the narrative, which spread after the tragic incidents of terrorism in Mastung, Bannu and Peshawar, that the state failed to protect the people,” he stated while addressing a Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) function. “Those spreading this narrative are helping anti-state elements.”

The caretaker minister urged lawyers to play their role in the unity of the nation and in creating awareness for the holding of peaceful elections.

Says Orange Line trains and suchlike are not necessities, immediate requirement is water

“The federal government, provincial governments, intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies, political parties and civil society should have one aim: hold elections peacefully,” he said.

Mr Zafar reiterated that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had the responsibility and authority to conduct free and fair elections under the Election Commission Act 2017, adding that he had interacted with the ECP often and was quite satisfied with the steps being taken to ensure transparency during the polls.

“The caretaker government has the mandate to run day-to-day affairs and the ECP is responsible for conducting elections,” he reiterated, emphasising that the government that he represents cannot take long-term decisions. It would, however, leave behind guidelines for various sectors, including water resources and law, for the next elected government to consider.

“The next government is likely to be announced on July 30 and it will be its prerogative whether or not to adopt our guidelines,” he explained.

Water issues

Alleging that the previous government had failed to formulate any plan vis-à-vis water issues, Mr Zafar said: “In developed countries, 20pc of development is allocated for water but in Pakistan, 5pc is spent on this. “Orange Line trains and suchlike are not necessities. Our immediate requirement is water.”

“We gave three rivers to India in the past,” he regretted. “We [should have] constructed 17 big dams but managed only two, and the level of water in even these is depleting due to silting.” Due to climate change, he added, the glaciers were melting and Pakistan must construct new dams.

Legal systems

The caretaker law minister said that the ministry was chalking out guidelines for improving the legal system in the country, with a focus on justice, delivery and procedure.

“The caretaker Cabinet will approve the guidelines for the next government,” he explained.

He also talked about the mushrooming growth of law colleges and stressed upon the need to streamline these institutions.

Claiming that the law ministry was working on making a law to ensure the presence of a lawyer in all property sale and purchase transactions, Mr Zafar announced the grant of Rs6 million for the LHCBA.

He added that the caretaker government would also help small towns’ bar associations provide facilities to the legal fraternity.

LHCBA President Hassan Raza Pasha said that the country’s lawyers were responsible professionals and believed in the rule of law. Elections to the bar even under martial law were conducted in a peaceful manner, he reflected, adding that “Lawyers want the rule of law and Constitution in the country.”

Later, the bar offered condolences and prayers for the people killed in the attacks in Mastung, Bannu and Peshawar, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2018