Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has asked the opposition parties to take part in the process of electoral reforms suggested by the government, reported 24NewsHDTv Channel.

The minister was talking to the press outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on Monday along with Law Minister Dr Babar Awan and PM Advisor on Accountability Shehzad Akbar Islam.

Chaudhry said that it was his second meeting with the chief election commissioner and they discussed four affairs of the electoral reforms. He said they deliberated on the electoral reforms bill which contained 49 amendments. He urged the opposition to participate in the electoral reforms.

The information minister said that he also held a discussion on electronic voting with the chief election commissioner. He said the chief election commissioner appreciated the use of technology for holding fair and transparent elections.

He said it was the promise of the PTI government to overseas Pakistanis to grant the right to vote. He said 8 million Pakistanis residing abroad must be given the voting right. He said the government was working on electronic voting.

He said Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz would apprise the election commission of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), adding that the commission might take briefing on the system on its own from a third party.  

On the tragic train accident in Dherki, the information minister said that the whole country was in a state of shock at this fatal incident. He said the bogies of Millat Express were derailed and collided with Sir Syed Express killing and injuring several people. He said the train that was coming from other side could not get time to stop. He said the accident occurred at 3:38am and the Sukkur railway office got the information about the accident at 3:48am.

He said Railway Minister Azam Swati had reached the place of an accident on the instruction of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said that investigations were underway and soon the government would pinpoint the responsible elements.

Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said it is the vision of the Prime Minister to ensure transparency in the elections to strengthen democracy.

He said only the genuinely elected representatives should come to the parliament.

The Minister said his ministry is working day and night on the election voting machines.

Responding to a question, Shibli Faraz said the Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent institution and the government fully respects it.

Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the government has a sufficient majority in both the houses of the parliament to get the electoral reforms bill passed. He, however, said we want to take along the opposition parties and will welcome their suggestions on the matter.

The Adviser said we want technology-based elections to ensure complete fairness and transparency in the next general elections.