CGEP NEWS AND EVENTS

Oct 26, 2007

CGEP undertakes Electoral Fact Finding Mission to Quetta

The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP undertook an Electoral Fact Finding Mission to Quetta, Balochistan from October 25-27, 2007. The Electoral Fact Finding Mission, facilitated by PILDAT, included the Group’s 12th Meeting at Quetta; Meeting with Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Chief of the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP); Interactive Seminar by the Citizens Group on National Integration and the Coming Election with representatives of political parties, civil society, academia and media in Balochistan; the Group’s meeting with the National Party leadership and its Chief Dr. Hayee Baloch and the Group’s interaction with the Governor Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ghani.  

CGEP Meeting with the PMAP Leadership

The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) held a meeting with Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) and the party’s leadership at Quetta to gauge the party’s views on the electoral scenario in the country. The Citizens Group, led by Justice (Retd.) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, shared with Mr. Achakzai the CGEP-proposed Electoral Code of Conduct and set of electoral reforms. Mr. Achakzai briefed the CGEP delegation about the PMAP’s perspective on the prospects of coming General Election and highlighted that his party believed that with active involvement of military and intelligence agencies in politics, free and fair election could not be held in Pakistan. Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai also hosted a dinner in the honour of the members of CGEP.

CGEP Interactive Seminar on National Integration and the Coming Election

PILDAT organised an interactive seminar on the topic of National Integration and the Coming Election on Friday, October 26, 2007 at Quetta. The seminar included key leadership of major national parties of the country represented in Balochistan as well as leadership of regional political parties in addition to civil society representatives, opinion leaders based in Balochistan, media and academicians. Members of the CGEP, shared their views with the participants on the prospects of coming General Election and its impact on National Integration. The participants shared their concerns and ideas on the topic.

CGEP Meeting with the National Party

The Citizens Group held another exclusive meeting with the leadership of the National Party headed by Dr. Abdul Hayee Baloch. Dr. Baloch shared his and his party’s views on the pre-election scenario in Balochistan and discussed his party’s concerns and proposals with the Group.

CGEP Members Called on the Governor Balochistan

Wrapping up the two-days interactions with Baloch leaders and civil society in Quetta, the Citizens Group called on the Governor Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ghani, to share his perspective on the Balochistan’s scenario preceding the General Election. Mr. Owais Ghani, who hosted a dinner in the honour of the CGEP delegation, discussed in detail the steps taken by the Government for the uplift of the province. He also discussed the electoral scenario of Balochistan and reiterated the government’s view that it would hold a free and fair election.

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