The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) has welcomed appointment of Justice (r) Sardar Raza Khan as the new chief election commissioner (CEC) and has stated that Raza is a man of integrity and “held in high esteem for his judgments and convictions”.
In a statement issued Friday, PESA expressed hope that the newly-inducted CEC will utilise all his capabilities and strengths to “restore peoples’ confidence in the impartiality of the Election Commission”.
“It is expected that he will analyse the irregularities highlighted in a draft report that was recently released by the ECP on its website.”
He is also expected to cooperate fully with the Judicial Commission whenever it starts its investigations about irregularities alleged to have been committed during the General Elections 2013, the statement added.
PESA also expressed satisfaction at the “successful visit” of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to the US, and expressed the hope that the visit will “help to bring peace and stability in the region soon”.
The association expressed concern about the welfare and resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the tribal regions due to the military offensives launched there.
“The government must take immediate steps to re-establish efficient and effective civil administration in tribal areas and help restore and strengthen their traditional system of local leadership,” read the PESA statement.