Khoso said that the mandate of the caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan was to hold free and fair elections and all necessary steps would be taken to achieve this objective. The caretaker Prime Minister said that on the completion of elections, the power would be transferred to elected representative of the people without any delay and the caretaker government would not accept extension in its tenure at any cost.
He said that the caretaker government would make all-out effort so that voters could cast ballot with complete freedom. He said that the caretaker government would ensure that the sanctity of the vote was maintained and all government departments and officials were instructed to remain impartial. Khoso said that maintenance of peace and security was top priority of the caretaker government and no one would be allowed to disturb peace.
Terming the rising incidence of terrorism in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi condemnable, he said that measures were being taken to control this menace, adding that although according to the Constitution, the maintenance of law and order fell under the domain of provincial governments, the federal government was in constant touch with all caretaker chief ministers and law enforcement agencies so that electoral process was conducted peacefully.
Khoso said that the caretaker government had prepared plans for deployment of army and quick action force to meet any eventuality during the elections. The Prime Minister stated that the government had set up a special cell in the ministry of interior to collect intelligence reports and share them with provincial government and law enforcement agencies. He said that the cell was also empowered to take decisions for timely action, if needed.
He promised that all resources would be used to improve security of sensitive polling stations and their effective monitoring. He said that he was fully convinced that an independent and impartial election commission was capable of meeting any challenge during the electoral process and federal and provincial governments "are extending all possible cooperation to the Election Commission in this regard".
The Prime Minister paid tribute to leaders and workers of all political parties for taking part in the electoral process with full enthusiasm and stated that the elections had extraordinary importance in the history of Pakistan. The country is facing internal and external challenges and only an elected government can resolve these problems, added Prime Minister.
He said that the entire world has set its eyes on the Pakistani elections and observers and analysts from foreign countries would be in the country during the 2013 elections. "We have to prove through our actions and unity, that we are a democracy-loving nation. We have to give a message to the world community that we are custodian of rich cultural and religious norms."
Khoso said that he believes that the appointment of a caretaker prime minister from Balochistan would have a far-reaching impact and would help end the sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan, besides promoting national harmony.
The Prime Minister said that he recently visited Balochistan and was happy to note that all political parties were taking part in the electoral process. He said that he also visited Sindh and presided over a meeting to review law and order and security situation to ensure peaceful situation, particularly in Karachi. He claimed that apart from Balochistan and Sindh, election activities are also going on in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
He said that the caretaker government was fully aware of people's problems and was concerned over the death of children because of an "outbreak of measles". He said that the government had taken a strict notice of it and it is determined to control this situation.
The Prime Minister said that he fully realised problems being faced by people because of load shedding which is because of the growing gap between demand and supply of electricity. He said that the caretaker inherited this crisis and Finance Ministry was directed to release Rs 45 billion so that fuel was provided to thermal power plants to improve the situation.
Khoso said that he had also directed the ministry of water and power to ensure that there should be no load-shedding for 36 hours beginning from the evening of May 10 so that people could exercise their right of votes and election results could be compiled as quickly as possible. About the next budget, the Prime Minister stated that the next budget would be realistic, expenditures would be reduced to a minimum level, austerity measures should be adopted and best use be made of national resources.
The Ministry of Finance, he said, had been instructed to reduce all unnecessary expenditures in the budget and welfare of people should be preferred. He said that he was hopeful that the caretaker government would be able to hand over a better economy to the elected government through fiscal discipline and effective measures.