Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, has emphasized that there are no constraints on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, and that the responsibility of announcing the election date falls outside the interim government's purview.
Solangi expressed confidence in the autonomy of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as a constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. He assured that the elections would proceed in accordance with the schedule set by the ECP.
Furthermore, Solangi assured that all registered political parties, including PTI, have equal opportunities to participate in the electoral process. He affirmed that political parties and their leadership have the freedom to voice their opinions on important issues.
Solangi stated unequivocally, "There are no restrictions on PTI as a political party." He also highlighted that media in Pakistan operates freely, and the courts are independent. Both the caretaker government and the ECP are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties in the upcoming elections.
Regarding Nawaz Sharif's planned return on October 21, the caretaker information minister underscored that the interim government is not involved in the return of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader. Nawaz Sharif, a former three-time prime minister, has been living in London since November 2019 due to health reasons.
Solangi affirmed that Nawaz Sharif's return would be handled in accordance with the law and the Constitution, as he did not leave the country illegally.
Addressing the issue of expelling illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan, the information minister stressed that Pakistan has hosted a significant number of refugees over the past four decades. However, he emphasized that no country can sustain open borders without proper documentation, as this poses security risks. Solangi urged illegal residents to voluntarily leave the country by October 31, after which forceful eviction measures would be employed to protect national security.
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar's caretaker government previously announced its decision to expel 1.1 million foreigners illegally residing in Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Regarding privatization, Solangi clarified that the process was not initiated by the caretaker government; instead, it was a decision made by the previous elected government and parliament to privatize various entities.
