ISLAMABAD, Oct 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said President General Pervez Musharraf won the today’s presidential elections with overwhelming majority by securing over 55 percent votes from the electoral college. “It is a historic day for Pakistan, as today’s presidential elections were held smoothly and the PML and allied parties voted in favour of President Musharraf,” he told the newsmen after a an Iftar hosted by him in honour of the PML workers from the party’s Islamabad chapter here at the Prime Minister House.
The Prime Minister regretted that the opposition did not participate in this democratic process, adding, however even if they had come and voted in favour of their candidates the results would have been the same.
He said, the re-election of President Musharraf will ensure the continuity of the policies of the present government pursued over the last eight years for sustained economic growth, development and people’s welfare and progress.
The Prime Minister said the opposition’s strike call for October 6 badly failed as per previous calls and there was no shutter down across the country, with normal life and business activities continued as usual.
To a question about reservations of ruling party members about the National Reconciliation Ordinance, he said, the difference of opinion was the beauty of democracy, adding, but the Ordinance is part of the government’s policy to create political harmony and put the country on the path of sustained progress and development.
“The Ordinance has been promulgated in the interest of the country and nation, as there was a need to bring unity and positive politics to move ahead with congenial and transparent environment”, he added.
About dialogue with PPP, the Prime Minister said, the government was engaging all the political parties, so that the issues facing the country are tackled with consultation and consensus.
To a question about the deportation of Nawaz Sharif, he said, it was his (Nawaz Sharif) own option.
The Prime Minister further mentioned that Nawaz Sharif had gone into 10-year exile under an agreement reached with a friendly country and he should abide by that agreement.
Earlier, the Prime Minister while speaking to the workers of PML Islamabad before the Iftar congratulated the party worker over the winning of President Musharraf and said the PML and its allied parties after getting the people’s mandate in the next general elections will take the country forward on the path of more development, growth and prosperity.
He said, owing to the policies of present government of PML its allies the country has made strides in every sector of life and economy and benefits of sustained economic growth have started reaching the masses.
The Prime Minister said, PML is a party which created Pakistan under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam and it would continue to make the country stronger in every field of life.