Murtaza Solangi, the Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, has provided clarification regarding Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq-Kakar’s recent comments about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. Solangi stated that the remarks were taken out of context and emphasized that all political parties, including the PTI, are free to participate in the upcoming general elections.
In response to the controversy surrounding the interim prime minister’s comments, Solangi reassured that every political party holds an equal right to participate in the polls and engage in the democratic process. However, he noted that the law will be applied equally to all individuals who violate it, whether it involves the PTI chairman or anyone else.
“The prime minister’s comments were inaccurately reported… Unfortunately, a specific part of the interview was taken out of context and misrepresented,” stated the information minister on Tuesday.
He further clarified that it was incorrectly perceived that certain individuals would be barred from participating in the elections. The caretaker prime minister’s remarks about elections proceeding without the PTI leader were directed at those individuals involved in acts of vandalism and arson on May 9. Those not implicated in illegal activities are free to participate in the elections, Solangi confirmed.
Solangi also asserted that there are no impediments preventing any PTI leader from participating in the polls.
The clarification comes after Prime Minister Kakar’s interview with The Associated Press last week, in which he stated, “Free and fair elections can take place without [Imran] Khan or hundreds of members of his party.”
The prime minister’s comments had sparked criticism from human rights organizations and various segments of society. Earlier in the day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) described Kakar’s remarks as “inappropriate” and emphasized that the determination of what constitutes a ‘fair’ election should not be made unilaterally by the government.
The HRCP highlighted that many cases involving PTI leadership and workers were still pending in the courts and that the caretaker government should avoid making irresponsible, partisan statements. Instead, it should focus on creating and maintaining an environment conducive to credible and inclusive elections.
