Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Thursday said the government welcomed international observers who had arrived here to monitor the general elections to be held on May 11.
He was talking to a five-member delegation of European Parliament‚ headed by Michael Gahler in Islamabad on Thursday.
Khoso said all arrangements had been finalised to ensure fair and transparent elections. He said the government was extending all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The prime minister said the army‚ the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies and volunteers had been deployed throughout the country to maintain peace.
The head of the European Union delegation informed the prime minister that the EU had over 100 people working as observers all over Pakistan.
Briefing the delegation on the political history of Pakistan, Khoso said Pakistan was unfortunate as the father of the nation passed away within one year of independence. “Prime minister late Liaquat Ali Khan’s assassination was another great set back for the newly-independence state,” he added.
The prime minister said the caretaker government was making history by not only conducting credible elections but ensuring transfer of power to a democratically-elected government.
Khoso said the Election Commission of Pakistan was being headed by a well-known retired judge of the superior courts of Pakistan and was appointed with consensus. “The caretaker government has extended all-possible assistance to the ECP under whose supervision elections are being conducted.”
“We have not interfered in the work of the Election Commission of Pakistan,” said the prime minister.
Recalling his meeting with the prime minister a month ago, Galher informed him that the European Union had over 100 people working as observers all over Pakistan. “The delegation has met representatives of political parties and non government organisations as well,” he said.
To a question regarding transfer of power to the new government, the prime minister said, “We will not delay the transfer of power for a movement. It will be handed over to the newly-elected government without any delay.”
