ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government would contact all political parties to work out a code of conduct for the general election.
Talking to newsmen here on Saturday, the prime minister said: “From today, we are starting contacts with all political parties to devise a code of conduct for electoral process along with the Election Commission to ensure smooth running of political activity”.
Mr Aziz said the government was trying to create an environment of political reconciliation in the country, allowing every party to express its views freely.
“May it be an APC (all-party conference) or individual contacts, the basic objective is to let political activity continue without any hindrance,” he said.
When asked about Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s proposal to ban political rallies during elections in the wake of the Karachi blasts, the prime minister said due to security risk, the political parties should adopt alternative modes, e.g. meetings or using the media.
“I don’t see any hindrance in the political process. But perhaps, we have to change tactics and take necessary measures as well,” he said.
Mr Aziz gave examples of some countries where governments did not allow processions in similar situations to obviate any security lapse.
The prime minister said the findings of the Karachi bombing investigation would soon be made public.
He said the inspectors general of the four provinces held a meeting on Saturday to prepare a security profile in view of the next general elections.
“In this regard a decision will be taken keeping in mind that it should not affect the interest of any political party,” he said. The government was striving to ensure a smooth electoral process, he added.
“We owe it to our people to continue the march towards democracy through elections,” Mr Aziz said.In reply to a question about the interim set-up, he said the process was under discussion.
Earlier, the prime minister performed the groundbreaking ceremony of ‘Environment House’, which would accommodate all wings of the environment ministry under one roof.
Speaking at the ceremony at the PM secretariat, Mr Aziz said the government was chalking out plans to check environmental degradation.