Caretaker Chief Minister Hasan Askari Rizvi Saturday said the term ‘aliens’ is part of a political narrative developed to channel political interests and needs.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore, the interim chief minister, in response to a question about ‘aliens’ – a term frequently used by the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – observed that all political parties use different narratives to garner support of the voters.
“You all know what is ‘aliens’: it is a political narrative as different people communicate their messages for their political needs and political interests in different ways. The basic objective [of political parties] is to get more votes. They want to win elections and form the government. ‘Aliens’ is the part of the same political narrative,” he said.
Askari said the basic responsibility of the interim government is to ensure holding of fair, free and transparent elections. The framework for the purpose is given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the interim government only implements that framework and facilitates the holding of elections. The second basic responsibility of the interim government is maintaining of law and order and provision of peaceful environment for voters, he added.
To a question, Askari said he didn’t give any statement about delaying elections. “One of my articles has been published which is being quoted. I have authored so many books and I have criticized every government and am expressing my point of view from the time I started writing,” he said.
Speaking about objections to his appointment as the caretaker chief minister, Askari said that the reservations will be addressed through the performance of the interim government. “Our performance will restore confidence of political parties in us and their doubts will be removed. We will work in neutral status within legal limits and will provide equal opportunities and facilities to all the political parties. Our cabinet will also be small and no political person will be included in it. It will consist of professionals and experts only,” he added.
About reshuffle in bureaucracy, the caretaker chief minister said that administrative changes are made whenever a new government is installed. “Those before us made such changes and those who will come after us will also make such changes. I neither had any political agenda in the past nor will have in future. There needs to be a balance in the job of the interim government and we will make every effort to maintain this balance,” he said.
He said visiting the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal is a matter of pride for him. He said the government of Pakistan has set up Iqbal Chair at the Heidelberg University of Germany where he discharged his duties for three years.
To a question, Askari said he had a connection with media and his link with media will continue in future. “Media persons should be happy that a person who has connection with media and literature has been made the interim chief minister,” he said.
To another question, he said the role of district administration is very vital in the conduct of elections and it is responsibility of the district administration to provide equal opportunities to all the political parties.
Meanwhile, while chairing meetings to review budget-related matters and security issues, the chief minister said that transparency should be ensured in financial affairs, non-development expenditures be reduced and revenues be increased. He said projects of public welfare and development should be given top priority.
He said that political activities will increase after Eid and responsibilities of police and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order will also increase. He said close coordination should be made with all the political parties for the security of political leaders.
Published in Daily Times, June 10th 2018.
