KARACHI: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said that some political parties had been complaining about a level playing field, but the poor and middle classes never got one.
He said this while speaking at a seminar — Pakistan Elections 2024: Challenges of the New Government and the Roadmap — organised by the Press Information Department at the National Museum Auditorium here.
“Certain political parties were crying about the level playing field but they should first bring democracy in their ranks. Real democracy will flourish when the persons from middle, lower middle and working classes can contest elections and get elected,” he said.
The minister said that there was an urgent need for tax reforms to stabilise the economy.
Apart from that, the system of local governments was mandatory under the Constitution, but unfortunately it was paralysed, he said.
Says constitutionally mandated LG system is paralysed
“After 18th Amendment, all resources were transferred to the provinces, which unfortunately could not be further transferred to the lower level,” he said.
About the Feb 8 elections, he said: “I have been constantly saying that the elections will take place since the moment I took oath. Yes, I know that people are talking about all kinds of things that can prevent the elections from happening such as our relations with Iran, the weather, etc, but there were all kinds of issues and challenges at the time of previous elections, too. And yet, those elections also happened.
“The election process should continue. As for the issues facing the country, such as economic issues, foreign policy matters, local governments, governance and civil service reforms, they should also be discussed and resolved,” he said.
Mr Solangi said that despite several flaws in the democratic system and electoral process, everyone was in agreement that the electoral process should not be stopped and elections should be held.
Earlier, senior journalist Mahmood Shaam said that decisions for the forthcoming general elections were being made in a non-serious way. He said that he has witnessed and covered many elections since the 1960s and reflected on the various modes of media and how they covered the elections. “Now social media is more powerful than mainstream media,” he pointed out.
Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas said that the ‘selection’ process has made him lose faith in the election process.
Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist Amir Zia said that perceptions are important. “But what is the nation’s perception of the forthcoming elections? Can the Election Commission clear the negative perception of the people in the next seven days,” he asked.
Academic Dr Huma Baqai pointed out that not a single political party had as much as mentioned education in their manifesto. “Stop insulting our intellect. We also remember what you said earlier and did not deliver on. This time there are no buyers for your stories,” she said.
Academic and author Dr Tauseef Ahmed reminded that the British introduced elections in this part of the world when two countries were born as a result of the Indian Independent Act of 1947. “There have been various perceptions about elections since then including the perception of rigging during elections. Perceptions about elections are created deliberately so that the new government which comes in as a result of an election is weak,” he said.
Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024
