Cabinet boasts LG elections
By Zulfiqar Ahmad

ISLAMABAD—Declaring recently concluded local bodies polls 90 percent transparent and fair the federal cabinet on Wednesday linked success of ruling party backed candidates in the polls as go-ahead stamp with regard of policies initiated by the incumbent government.
However, 8 to 10 percent rigging allegations leveled by various parties will be probed to ascertain the authenticity of allegations, these views were expressed in the meeting of federal cabinet held here which was presided over by the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while speaking on the occasion said that local bodies elections were held in transparent and peaceful manner, however the government was concerned about clashes, which claimed several lives but most of the clash during local bodies polls were not elections related incidents.
He said that people with reservations in line with local bodies polls could contact Election Commission for redressal of their grievances.
He commended the role of law enforcing agencies and army in maintaining law and order during the polls.
He expressed optimism by saying that large number of moderate candidates were elected in the polls and the decision about district Nazims would be taken with consensus and consultation.
He went on to say that voters turnout remained over 48 percent and this record turnout was a testimony of fair and positive elections in any country. The increased voter turnout would not only help strengthen democratic institutions but it would help made popular the local bodies system in the country, he noted.
During the meeting, decisions were taken to tackle quorum issue to introduce legislation. Referring to Sonia Naz rape case, the Prime Minister vowed that responsible would be dealt with sternly and a judicial probe had earlier been ordered into this dastardly act. A bill was adopted about medical apparatus in which it was decided that syringes once used could not be used again while elements if found involved practicing in this nasty game would face the music.
The federal cabinet was briefed about the overall system and performance of National Highway Authority. It was decided that vehicles exceeded the approved load would face legal action. The cabinet has approved free treatment of a poor patient affected by hepatitis from Zakat fund.
Online adds: Some Federal Ministers Wednesday felt embarrassment and strong disappointment when Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz rejected their call for a meeting to listen their complaints regarding local bodies poll rigging or to raise the issue in the cabinet meeting.
The Prime Minister told the affected ministers in the federal cabinet meeting that he would not listen their cases individually and nor the issue would be taken in the cabinet meeting, well placed sources told this scribe.
Some federal ministers leveled allegations of election rigging in their respective constituencies against their supported candidates saying government party with collaboration of district administration manipulated the polls against their nominated candidates.
Therefore, they demanded an appointment from the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in order to review their cases but PM rejected their call saying he could not take the case of any minister on individual basis. He advised that the issue should be taken in the parliamentary part meeting. “Their cases would be reviewed in the meeting but personally I cannot take up any case”, the Prime Minister added.