Karachi, Murtaza Solangi, the Caretaker Federal Minister of Information, has asserted that the caretaker government is not involved in the approval or rejection of nomination papers for the upcoming elections, emphasizing that this is a constitutional process managed solely by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in an interview with a private TV channel, Murtaza Solangi clarified that the process of accepting or rejecting nomination papers, including those of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates, is strictly a constitutional matter and falls within the legal framework of the Election Commission. He stressed that the caretaker government plays no role in these decisions.
Solangi highlighted that all political parties, including the PTI, are receiving fair and unbiased coverage in the state media, in line with ethical journalistic standards. He emphasized the commitment of the caretaker government to uphold the constitutional boundaries and ensure equitable treatment of all political entities.
Furthermore, Solangi mentioned the financial and administrative support being provided to the Election Commission. He informed that an initial allocation of 10 billion rupees was made to meet the Commission’s financial needs, followed by an additional disbursement of 17.4 billion rupees.
Regarding the ongoing negotiations with Baloch protesters, the Information Minister shared progress, noting that women and children were released in the first phase, followed by the release of 163 male individuals in the second phase, and the remaining 34 individuals in the third phase.
Solangi affirmed the right to peaceful protest for all citizens but also made clear that actions such as road closures, entering restricted areas, assaulting police officers, and stone-pelting are not considered peaceful demonstrations and are therefore not permissible.
The Minister’s statements reflect the caretaker government’s commitment to neutrality in the electoral process and its support for the Election Commission’s independent functioning.