ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro on Friday sought opposition’s cooperation for holding free, fair and transparent general elections. Talking to reporters after taking oath as the caretaker prime minister, he said the opposition, instead of engaging in politics of agitation, should give suggestions for holding transparent elections.

“Let us all go to manifestos instead of bringing people out on roads as it will affect economic activities and create unemployment,” he said, adding that he expected cooperation from opposition parties in maintaining peace and security in the country.

Asked if he would invite the opposition for talks, he said: “They are always welcome.”

He said besides continuity and consistency of policies, the priority of his government would be to maintain law and order and hold free and transparent elections.

He said the government would ensure peaceful environment for election and assist the Election Commission in this regard.

About the release of political activists, lawyers and others arrested in the on-going protest movement, the prime minister said: “What I have been told is that most of them have been released. He said that the government had no intention of detaining anyone unnecessarily.

He said that emergency had been imposed because of security situation in the country.

“My request is that let us not violate the law; let us maintain security, safety and a good environment in the country. There are many ways to express one’s feelings. Let us not do things which upset the normal routine of the people,” the prime minister said.