Political reconciliation must for fair polls: Aziz

Islamabad, Oct 22: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has emphasised the need for political reconciliation in the country, saying it is essential for holding peaceful, free and fair elections. At meeting with Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Talha Mahmood and Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed at the Prime Minister"s House, Aziz said parliamentary committees could play a pivotal role in promoting cross-party cooperation.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the government had always encouraged close coordination among all political parties so that a common approach could be developed to strengthen the democratic process.

Aziz further said the elected representatives of the people have an important and critical role to play in order to achieve reconciliation, cooperation and participation by all political parties.

He went on to say that the Federal and Provincial governments were closely cooperating with law enforcing agencies to ensure peaceful polls.

They also discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the country, and the code of conduct to be developed for maintaining it during and after the general elections.

ANI>