ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro said on Tuesday that his government’s priority was to facilitate the Election Commission to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

He directed the provincial governments to maintain law and order to ensure peaceful environment for the elections.

Talking to Sindh and Balochistan chief ministers, Justice (retd) Abdul Qadir Halipoto and Sardar Saleh Mohammad Bhotani, he said the government would ensure continuity of economic policies.

He said the government expected the political parties to abide by the Election Commission’s code of conduct and also follow security guidelines issued by the Ministry of Interior.

He said the government would welcome suggestions from political parties.

The prime minister said that increased spending on infrastructure in Balochistan and facilities of gas, electricity, education, health and clean drinking water provided in various parts of the province had improved people’s living standard.

The Balochistan chief minister apprised the prime minister of arrangements made by the government for holding elections in a peaceful manner.

Mr Soomro said the federal government would fully cooperate with the provincial governments in their efforts to maintain peace.

He said the caretaker government would remain neutral and ensure successful completion of the election process.

The chief ministers apprised the prime minister of the steps taken to improve the law and order situation and arrangements made to facilitate the provincial election commissions to hold the elections in a peaceful environment.

AJK PRESIDENT: Mr Soomro in a meeting with AJK president Zulqarnain Khan said that a just solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people would ensure peace and stability in the region.