Nawaz backs ECP breaking gender barriers

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said all-out support will be extended to initiatives and programmes of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, Nawaz, being head of PML-N, wrote, “Dear Justice (R) Sardar Muhammad Raza, the Constitution confers equal right upon all segments of our citizenry, particularly the inclusion of women, disabled and other disadvantaged groups in development of our democratic process.”

He said PML-N believed that pursuit of endeavours for purposeful and effective inclusion of all men, women in parliamentary democracy was not only one of many constitutional requirements, it was individual and collective societal responsibility of all constitutional institutions, including all the registered political parties and the political sovereign, namely the citizenry at large mandated to exercise their right to franchise to be exercised as a trust on behalf of Almighty Allah.

Nawaz also referred to the lengthy deliberations of the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms. “It is PML-N resolve to ensure full compliance and participation in all your initiatives and programmes for democratic inclusiveness of all social groups,” Nawaz wrote.

The media wing of the ECP had released copy of the letter to the media. The ECP had recently wrote to all heads of political parties, having representation in the legislatures to gear up for maximum participation of voters in next general election with special focus on female and disabled and disadvantaged segments of the society.