raja press conference 400ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Friday assured the nation that the government would act according to the law and hold transparent and independent investigation to reveal the truth in distribution of government money among the politicians in 1990 elections to defeat PPP.

 

Addressing a press conference here at Prime Minister House, he assured the nation "the government will investigate the whole affair in accordance with the true spirit of the decision of the Supreme Court and take action without any partisan and every thing will be impartial."

 

He said the government would recover this money and suggested to all those politicians who got the money to tender an apology to the nation for their act.

 

He said, "As Chief Executive of the country, I assure the nation that there will be fair trial and transparent investigation in accordance with the direction of the Supreme Court."

 

He said the directions of the apex court regarding inquiry were for FIA and the government would work accordingly.

 

The Prime Minister said all those involved in distribution and receiving of the money should be punished as it was dishonesty with the whole nation.

 

He said those who were involved in the distribution of money in 1990 election to defeat PPP had stolen the mandate of the people.

 

He said, "Our Quaid Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always said people were deceived and their mandate was stolen, which has been proved true today with the decision of the Supreme Court."

 

The Prime Minister said that PPP always was of the view that the history revealed the truth.

 

Prime Minister Ashraf said the whole nation participated in the 1990 elections, but one strange thing was noticed that those who were sure of victory lost the elections and this remained a secret for the last 22 years. But now it has been resolved following the decision of the Supreme Court, he added.

 

He said quoting Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that the mandate of the people had been stolen in 1990 elections and the history will disclose the reality and now the Supreme Court decision has proved this fact. The Prime Minister said Benazir Bhutto had said that the establishment stole the elections.

 

He said the people voted for PPP in 1990 but the establishment used the tactics to sabotage the mandate of the people.

 

He said the history today has vindicated the PPP as through the use of the money victory of some of the politicians and defeat of the PPP was a stigma on the face of democracy.

 

He said all those who distributed the money and who got it should be exposed to the nation.

 

The Prime Minister said those who talked about norms, rules and good deeds in politics should know over it.

 

He said the soul of Benazir Bhutto would be satisfied today with this decision.

 

The Prime Minister said the most important task before the government is to conduct fair, free and impartial elections.

 

He said, "We do not want to damage democracy, and snatch the democratic right of the people therefore, the government has appointed an independent and credible Chief Election Commissioner to prove it."

 

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said the FIA would take action according to rules and regulations and disclose the findings in a transparent manner.

 

The Prime Minister said it was sad that Rs. 170 million from the national exchequer were used some 22 years ago to snatch the democratic right of the people.

 

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said that according to an affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court no cell was presently working at the President House.

 

He said the government is committed to hold free, fair and impartial elections and did not want to snatch the democratic right of the people, as it has been a victim of this crime itself.

 

Answering a question about giving the Medal of Democracy to General Aslam Beg, the Prime Minister said that the medal was given to the institution and not to an individual. It was in recognition of the role of Pakistan Army for ensuring democracy in the government, he added.

 

Replying to another question, the Prime Minister said that all those responsible for taking money, should first tender an apology to the nation and the government would do whatever was possible according to the rules and regulations.

 

The Prime Minister said the Supreme Court's short decision clearly stateed that the money was distributed and it was a conspiracy to defeat PPP and the government exchequer was used. It was unconstitutional and illegal and now it is for the general public to comment on it.

 

He said if this action was not taken in 1990, PPP would have won the elections and formed the government.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

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