EU willing to back ECP in implementing electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) is willing to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in implementing electoral reforms and ensuring free and fair elections in the country.

EU Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain called on Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Finance on Monday. The finance minister told the EU high up that the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms (PCER) had carried out extensive work with the aim of improving and consolidating various election related laws into a single law. 

The committee was represented by all the parliamentary parties and had been able to reach consensus on most of the issues. He said that the work of the committee was in final stages and once approved the new legislation would mark major improvements in the election process in the country. The new reforms will make the election process much more transparent.  

The EU ambassador and Minister Dar had exchange of views on Pak-EU economic cooperation, especially in the context of important agreements currently under discussion between the two sides. 

The ambassador informed the finance minister of the EU’s intention of supporting nutrition in Sindh and apprised him of the discussions held with federal and provincial governments in this regard.

He also stated that EU was willing to support the Election Commission of Pakistan in implementing electoral reforms.  The minister appreciated the offer of cooperation and said that the Ministry of Finance would extend all possible cooperation in this regard. 

The finance minister deeply appreciated the continued support that EU has extended to Pakistan in various areas. He assured all out support to Jean-Cautain in his endeavours for enhancing Pak-EU economic partnership.