Interim govt has no intention to delay elections, says Sarfraz Bugti

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti has anticipated that general elections might occur within the next seven to eight months.

During the programme Power Politics with Adil Abbasi on HUM News, Bugti said that the authority to announce elections rests with the Election Commission, a responsibility bestowed by Pakistan’s Parliament.

He said that the provinces have requested the Election Commission to undertake constituency delimitation based on population, which is mandated by the constitution. This process requires four months, followed by an additional three months for the upcoming election.

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“The elections are set to occur within seven to eight months, and the government does not hold any intent to delay the general elections,” Bugti said.

When queried about President Alvi’s consultation with the Election Commission and the idea of holding elections within 3 months. Bugti stated: “President holds the right to correspond with the Election Commission, but let’s not talk on the assumptions. Decisions will be taken as needed, and as of now, the Election Commission has not made any pronouncements about the election,” Bugti added.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz Bugti said that although the Election Commission has called upon political parties for consultation concerning the upcoming elections, it hasn’t engaged with the interim government.

“If the Election Commission seeks input, the interim government is prepared to offer assistance which centers around supporting the Election Commission within the humble capacity,” the interim home minister said.

Furthermore, host Abbasi asked if the interim premier’s recent statement about continuing the previous government’s policies would apply to how Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) workers were treated.

In response, Bugti clarified that the Prime Minister Kakar’s reference pertained to the state’s monetary policy and its commitment to international agreements.

“As far as PTI is concerned, the party had orchestrated an organised conspiracy resulting in attacks on national assets. In addressing these matters, there would be no leniency in dealing with the perpetrators,” Sarfraz Bugti affirmed.