In a recent statement, Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, confirmed that the date for the upcoming general election in Pakistan would be determined and announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Solangi emphasized that the ECP, as a constitutional body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting polls in the country, held the authority to set the election date.
Speaking during an interview with CNN, Minister Solangi clarified that the interim government did not play a role in fixing the election date. He noted the possibility of a slight delay in the elections due to the recent notification of a new census. According to him, the completion of the delimitation exercise, which follows the census, would require approximately four months.
As part of the constitutional process, a mandated 54-day period has been allotted for political parties to carry out their election campaigns once the election date is announced. This framework ensures a fair and transparent electoral process.
Minister Solangi also took the opportunity to praise the collaborative efforts of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force in successfully rescuing individuals who were stranded on a chairlift in the remote Hindukush and Korakram mountain valleys in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He highlighted the meticulous coordination involved in the operation, which prioritized the safety of the trapped passengers. The district administration promptly escalated the situation to higher authorities, resulting in a comprehensive rescue mission that included helicopter deployments and ground efforts led by the Special Service Group (SSG).
Moreover, Minister Solangi mentioned that the provincial authorities had initiated a thorough inspection of all chairlifts and cable cars in the region to ensure their safety. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the remote area, which has been affected by climate change and seismic activity. In the past, the region experienced significant natural disasters, including a devastating earthquake in 2005 and severe flooding in 2010 that caused substantial infrastructure damage.
As the country awaits further updates from the Election Commission of Pakistan, the efforts of the government and various agencies in addressing both electoral processes and responding to emergencies remain in the spotlight.
