PPP decides to take PTI, JI on board over caretaker setup

The ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has decided to engage Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the consultative process for setting up an interim setup for the next general elections.

Former premier Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani while speaking to Dawn said, “Yes, we have decided to involve the PTI and JI in the consultative process for the caretaker set-up which will soon begin”.

The former prime minister, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court for defying its ruling to write letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, said they would invite all mainstream parties including PTI and JI to discuss the caretaker setup.

He, who is also vice-chairman of the party, said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will set up the interim setup if no consensus is reached in this regard. The PML-N, the key opposition party in the parliament, he said, appeared to have reached the conclusion that the upcoming polls should be held on time.

He noted, “The opposition is pressing the government not to delay the election. Now it appears to be more concerned about this issue”.

They believe in free, fair and transparent elections as it was in the best of the country. Quoting example of his son’s victory in the by-elections, he said Abdul Qadir Gilani managed to come out successor despite the provincial government used its all machinery.

He explained, “It also shows that in case of an independent ECP and impartial caretaker government the PPP will have more advantage in the general election”.

He was of the opinion the opposition parties in the presence of a neutral setup would not point finger at the ruling coalition.

After holding negotiations with all key political groups, the government and opposition are expected to open formal discussion for choosing members of an interim setup to hold general polls.

According to the reports, the two major parties, the PPP and the PML-N, reached to an overall understanding on a broader time-frame for a smooth political transition.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Aug 15 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.