Govt to hail suggestions on electoral reforms: Fawad

‘ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Islamabad: Fawad Chaudhry has suggested the opposition parties come to the Speaker National Assembly’s office instead of moving court. Fawad Chaudhry in his Tweet said, “Understand the EVM system first, we will address all concerns, overseas Pakistanis cannot be turned down on their right to vote, it was our promise.”

“We will welcome the suggestion from the opposition over electoral reforms.” The minister further said that the politics of the Sharif, Zardari families has become an old story, now it is the turn of new players in the opposition as well, the next two years will determine the politics of the next two decades of Pakistan’s history.

On Wednesday, the joint session of the Parliament passed important bills including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Second Election Amendment Bill 2021, and the Kulbhushan Jadhav bill, allowing him the right to appeal amid the hues and cry of the opposition. Moreover, while addressing a ceremony here Fawad Chaudhary, said it is schools and colleges that are the major reason behind extremism, not madressahs, as is the popular belief.

“In the 90s, teachers were appointed to preach extremism,” the information minister said, while addressing the launching ceremony of “Charter of Peace”, organised by Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies. Chaudhry said the state and government are “not fully prepared” to deal with extremism, adding that they had to “take a step back” while dealing with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The TLP held violent protests in the country last month following which, on October 31, the government and the party reached a secret accord, within a few days of which the party was de-proscribed and its chief, Saad Rizvi, was released.

The information minister said the country faces “no danger from America or Europe”. Pakistan faces “the biggest danger from within”, he said. Chaudhry lamented that the menace of extremism is one that could isolate and destroy a country, and unfortunately, Pakistan “was pushed” towards it for political and foreign policy reasons. He noted that a person is labelled a “nonbeliever” if their views differ from the prevalent thought pattern found in society. “Islam teaches balance and peace. The teachings of Islam or any other religion are not the issue, the only issue is their interpretation.”

Shedding light on other matters, he said “we have destroyed our policing and administrative system” and have not even found an alternative for it. “If you cannot even save the lives of the people, how will you create a soft image? A state which cannot establish its writ for a prolonged period cannot survive for long.” The information minister noted that when the writ of the state comes to an end, extremist elements begin to hold sway. He added that upholding the law is crucial to bringing a positive change in society.