ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday responded to the criticism leveled against it by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the wake of the recent Senate elections, saying it could not overlook the legal and constitutional requirements of the country while holding elections “to please anyone.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan had blamed the ECP on Thursday for “damaging democracy in the country” by holding Senate elections through secret ballot after one of his party candidates was defeated by an opposition alliance in a crucial contest on a general seat in Islamabad.
The outcome of the election was followed by demands for prime minister’s resignation since the opposition claimed that his administration had lost its majority in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the ECP said it was an independent institution that always used legal and constitutional benchmarks while performing its duties.
“The election commission listens to everyone,” said the statement, “but fulfills its responsibilities within the legal and constitutional framework. It acts independently and takes decisions without getting under pressure to promote democracy among the people of Pakistan.”
The ECP criticized the government for only accepting favorable election outcomes while pointing out that “every individual and political party should have the ability to accept defeat.”
“Let us do our job,” added the statement, “and do not indulge in mudslinging against state institutions.”
Discussing the ECP’s statement in news conference, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry called the election commission’s “rebuttal” to the prime minister’s speech “inappropriate,” saying “it will be criticized.”
Chaudhry said that the government respected all institutions of the state and was willing to support them, but they should display “freedom and impartiality through their actions, not press releases.”
He reiterated the prime minister’s claim that the ECP could not hold fair and transparent Senate elections due to its refusal to make ballot papers traceable.
Khan had slammed the election commission for refusing to hold the Senate polls through open ballot during a Supreme Court hearing ahead of the elections.
The opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Sharif, however, defended the ECP during a media briefing, saying that the election commission was not presenting its personal stance on the matter in front of the court but explaining its constitutional position.
“The ECP’s position was also upheld by the apex court,” she noted
The PML-N leader condemned Prime Minister Imran Khan for “targeting” the election commission in his address to the nation, claiming that the PTI administration was trying to put it under pressure by making it “politically controversial.”
Election commission rejects PM Khan's accusations of partisanship
https://arab.news/8rs6y
Election commission rejects PM Khan's accusations of partisanship
- The commission issued a hard-hitting statement after Prime Minister Imran Khan criticized it for ‘damaging democracy’ in Pakistan
- The government calls the commission’s response ‘inappropriate’ while the opposition slams the PM for putting the ECP under pressure
Pakistan to promote mineral sector at Saudi forum this month with 13 companies
- Delegation will take part in the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh from Jan. 13-15
- Petroleum minister will lead Pakistan, participate in a 90-minute country session
ISLAMABAD: Around 13 Pakistani state-owned and private companies will attend the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 13 to 15, an official statement said on Friday, as the country seeks to ramp up global engagement to develop its mineral resources.
The FMF is an international conference and investment platform for the mining sector, hosted by mineral-rich countries to attract global investors, companies and governments.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed Pakistan’s participation in a meeting with the Saudi envoy, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest copper-gold zones. The Reko Diq mine in southwestern Balochistan, with an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore, is partly owned by Barrick Gold, which calls it one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposits. Its development is expected to boost Pakistan’s struggling economy.
“Upon an invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Minister informed the Ambassador that Pakistan will fully participate in the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to be held in Riyadh later this month,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in an official statement.
The Pakistani minister will lead his country’s delegation at the FMF and take part in a 90-minute country showcase session titled “Unleashing Potential: Accelerating Pakistan’s Mineral Revolution” along with local and foreign investors.
Pakistan will also establish a dedicated pavilion to highlight the vast potential of its rich geological landscape to the global mineral community.
The Saudi envoy welcomed Pakistan’s decision to participate in the forum and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors during the meeting.
According to the statement, he highlighted the potential for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the minerals and energy sectors, expressing confidence that the FMF would provide a platform to expand collaboration.
Pakistan’s mineral sector, despite its rich reserves of salt, copper, gold and coal, contributes only 3.2 percent to the country’s GDP and just 0.1 percent to global mineral exports.
However, many countries, including the United States, have shown interest in Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, particularly in copper, gold and other critical resources.
In October, Pakistan dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, according to a Chicago-based US public relations firm’s report.
