PM MIR HAZAR KHAN KHOSO's Address

PRIME MINISTER JUSTICE (R) MIR HAZAR KHAN KHOSO’S

ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON MAY 03,2013

In the name of Allah the most merciful and beneficent.

I am grateful to Almighty Allah for having given me an opportunity to serve the nation and I pray to give the caretaker government the strength to fulfill its responsibility of holding the elections in the country. Ameen.

Ladies and gentlemen

I have seen many ups and downs during various phases of the history of Pakistan and had closely seen the freedom movement and struggle for the creation of Pakistan.

The creation of Pakistan was the result of democratic and constitutional struggle of the Muslims of subcontinent.

The credit of its success goes to the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. I pay deep tribute to him. It was his far-sightedness, hard work, selfless and unmatched leadership which realized the dream of Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal and we were blessed with freedom.

Soon after independence Pakistan ran into difficulties. The first Prime Minister of the country, Qaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan was martyred, democracy was derailed and we had to bear the pain of fall of Dhaka.

Ladies and gentlemen

Our culture and civilization is based on the teachings of saints and revered personalities. They have won the hearts of people through their message of peace, love, brotherhood and forbearance. All saints, including Baba Fareed, Rehman Baba, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Khrwari Baba preached the same message.

I am addressing you at a very important juncture when the people of Pakistan are going to exercise their right to vote in general elections.

I want to assure you, Allah willing, free, fair, transparent, impartial and peaceful elections would be held on May 11. This is the mandate of the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan. The caretaker government will take all necessary steps to achieve this objective.

On completion of elections, the reign of the government will be transferred to the elected representatives of the people by the caretaker government without any delay. We will not accept extension in the tenure of the caretaker government at any cost and under no circumstances.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Every Pakistani may express his opinion through exercise of his right to vote. It will be our endeavour that a voter is able to cast his vote according to choice and freedom. We will ensure that the sanctity of the vote is maintained. I have instructed all government departments and officials to remain impartial.

Dear countrymen!

Maintenance of peace and security is an important priority for the caretaker government. We will not allow anyone to disturb peace and play with life and property of the people.

It’s unfortunate that there have been acts of terrorism in Balochistan, KPK and Karachi and innocent people were martyred.

I strongly condemn terrorism. We are taking all measures to control terrorism.

Although according to constitution maintenance of law and order falls under the domain of provincial governments, I am in constant touch with all caretaker chief ministers and law enforcing agencies so that electoral process is conducted peacefully.

The government has prepared plans for deployment of army and quick action force to meet any eventuality during the elections and they will respond immediately when required.

The government has set up a special cell in the interior ministry. This cell will collect intelligence reports and share it with provincial governments and law enforcing agencies and this cell is also empowered to take decisions for timely action if needed.

All resources will be used to improve security of the sensitive polling stations and their effective monitoring.

Dear countrymen!

Elections are a few days away. The people will elect their representatives on May 11 under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

I am convinced that an independent and impartial Election Commission is capable of meeting any challenge during the electoral process.

The federal and provincial governments are extending all possible cooperation to the Election Commission in the conduct of the elections so that this process is completed smoothly. 

My dear countrymen!

I believe that appointment of a caretaker prime minister from Balochistan will have far reaching impact. I hope that it will help end sense of deprivation of the people of Balochistan and it will promote national harmony.

I recently visited Balochistan and I am happy that all political parties are fully taking part in the electoral process.

I also visited Sindh and presided over a meeting to review law and order and security situation and to ensure peace during elections in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.

Apart from Balochistan and Sindh, election activities are going on in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well.

My dear countrymen!

The caretaker government is not oblivious to the problems of the people. I am concerned over deaths of children because of outbreak of measles in different parts of the country and I have taken a strict notice of it.

I have directed consultations with all four provincial governments so that it is determined that what help the federal government can extend to control this situation. 

The measles, polio and other epidemics would, Allah willing, be eradicated because of these decisions.

My dear countrymen!

I fully realize the problems being faced by the people because of load shedding. It is because of the growing gap between demand and supply of the electricity.

We inherited this crisis. I have ordered ministry of finance to release 45 billion rupees on emergency basis to resolve this issue so that fuel is provided to the thermal power plants and situation could be improved by increasing production.

I have given special instructions to the ministry of water and power that there should be no load shedding for 36 hours beginning from the evening of the May 10 so that the common man can exercise his right of franchise and election results could be compiled as quickly as possible.

Dear countrymen!

I have directed ministry of finance that that next budget should be realistic, expenditure should be reduced to minimum level, austerity should be observed and best use be made of the national resources.

There should be no room for any extravagant and unnecessary expenditure in the budget, welfare of people should be preferred and common man should not be over burdened.

I am hopeful that we will hand over a better economy to the elected government through fiscal discipline and effective measures.

Dear countrymen!

I pay tribute to leaders and workers of all political parties who are taking part in the electoral process with full enthusiasm.

The current elections have extraordinary importance in the history of Pakistan. The country is facing internal and external challenges. Only an elected government can only resolve these problems.

I expect all political parties, religious scholars, politically aware masses and media that they would play their due role so that we can fulfil this responsibility.

The entire world has set its eyes on the Pakistani elections.

Observers and analysts from the foreign countries would be in the country during the 2013 elections. We have to prove through our actions and unity that we are a democracy-loving nation. We have to give a message to the world community that we are custodian of rich cultural and religious norms.

A scholar has aptly defined democracy.

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

I strongly urge you that fully take part in elections and use your right of vote in order to put the country on strong footings and accelerate the process of development in the country. This way we shall fulfil the dream of the father of the nation. 

Let’s pledge to follow the golden principles of unity, faith and discipline to put Pakistan on the path of progress and development. 

I believe that Allah the almighty has bestowed Pakistan with a lot of resources and he people of Pakistan with great capabilities and a brilliant future. Let’s work for a better future.

I pray Allah the almighty to guide us towards this path, Ameen. May Allah almighty help us.

Long live Pakistan!