In light of the upcoming polls, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is taking measures to facilitate a fair and impartial election atmosphere. To this end, they have reached out to interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar with advice to prevent any biased appointments in the cabinet. Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Hussain communicated this advice, emphasizing the necessity of steering clear of appointing individuals with known political affiliations to the cabinet or key civil servant positions.
This initiative aims to dispel notions that the caretaker government might be perpetuating the legacy of its predecessor. Hussain highlighted the constitutional mandate bestowed upon the ECP to ensure that the electoral process is conducted by principles of fairness and legality. The objective is to create a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the elections.
Diplomatic Interactions Concerning the Upcoming Elections
In a related series of events, diplomatic exchanges emphasizing the importance of fair and transparent elections in Pakistan are underway. Recently, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, met with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to discuss the imminent general polls. Through a post on X (formerly Twitter), Marriott underscored the necessity of conducting elections that are free, credible, and inclusive, reflecting a sentiment echoed by U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome in a previous meeting with the CEC.
However, these diplomatic meetings have sparked reactions from various quarters in Pakistan, with some expressing concerns regarding the intentions behind these visits. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, particularly, voiced their apprehensions and called for clarity on the objectives of the British High Commissioner’s visit to the ECP headquarters, urging for the details of her engagements to be disclosed to the public promptly. This instance accentuates the critical and sensitive role international relations play in the context of national electoral processes.
 emphasizes impartiality in cabinet appointments to the caretaker Prime Minister, fostering an atmosphere for fair and inclusive elections. This development comes amidst a series of diplomatic meetings focusing on the integrity of the upcoming electoral process in Pakistan.){kind=link}