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Published 08 Feb, 2013 11:00am

ECP cannot be reconstituted constitutionally, says Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said the government's position on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was clear, adding that it was not constitutionally possible to reconstitute the body, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, the minister said elections in the country would not be postponed under any circumstances.

Kaira’s statement comes hours after renowned lawyer and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said general elections may be postponed if the Supreme Court decides to admit the petition filed by Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Tahirul Qadri.

Moreover, the minister said despite being approached several times, the opposition had failed to recommend names for the parliamentary commission on new provinces in Punjab.

He added that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), the main opposition party at the centre, appeared to have a confused and unclear stance on certain issues.

Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had announced that the PML-N would present its own bill on new provinces in case the government does.

The PML-N supports the creation of two new provinces in Punjab as opposed to the recommendation of the parliamentary commission which proposes the creation of one new province.

The minister moreover said he was concerned over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.

A strike was being observed in Karachi today on a call given by the Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) against the ongoing wave of sectarian killings in the country's financial capital.

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