ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi stated on Monday that a high-level investigation committee had been constituted to look into the allegations levelled by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta regarding rigging in the general election.
Speaking to the media after attending the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, he urged patience as the legal process was currently underway. “The people should have trust in institutions and the judicial process,” he added.
He remarked that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was currently investigating the allegations of rigging, stressing the significance of waiting for the results of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The caretaker government, he said, had fulfilled its responsibility for conducting elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Responding to a query, he explained that once the ECP released the final list of successful candidates, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs would forward a summary to the concerned for convening the new session of the National Assembly.
Subsequently, a request would be made to President Dr Arif Alvi to summon the session of the National Assembly, he added.
Earlier, during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Fauzia Arshad, the minister stressed the importance of boosting PTV’s presence on social media platforms to enhance viewership.
He noted that PTV had started sharing its top-quality programmes on social media, recognising the significant audience engagement on these platforms.
Solangi underscored the necessity of improving the marketing of PTV products on social media. The minister explained that the responsibility for appointing heads of certain institutions rested with the elected government.
Due to the lengthy selection process, it was impractical to accomplish this task during the tenure of a caretaker government, he said, adding that therefore, it was preferable for the new parliament and government, upon assuming office, to exercise their authority in making these appointments.
‘Ensured equal treatment to all political parties’
Meanwhile, addressing the Senate House Business Advisory Committee, Solangi said that the caretaker government had strived to ensure equal treatment to all political parties.
He said that the caretaker government’s primary task was to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the country, which required the cooperation of all political parties.
“The caretaker administration endeavoured to foster close coordination with all stakeholders in that regard,” he added.
Solangi extended his gratitude to the Senate chairman and senators for their steadfast support to the caretaker government. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and members of the House Business Advisory Committee commended Solangi for his role during the Senate sessions.
The Senate chairman praised the minister for his important contribution to the smooth functioning of the upper house of Parliament. The senators hailed the minister for responding to questions in detail during the question-hour sessions.
