Memon warns against derailment of polls
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A Memon Thursday said that free, fair and impartial elections were against the interest of terrorists who wanted to thwart the polls process.“But the people, politicians, media and security forces would join hands and would not allow the derailment of polls,” he said while talking to a newsmen here.
The Minister said the holding of elections was the responsibility of the Election Commission while the interim government would facilitate this process. When the Minister was asked to comment over the possibility of boycott of the forthcoming polls by any political party, the Minister disagreed to the notion saying that he did not believe that political parties would boycott the polls.
“Keeping away from polls is against the norms of pro-people politics. I came to know that PPP has decided not to oppose its members to file nomination papers for the upcoming polls. On the other hand, MMA leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party was against boycott but the final decision would be made at the APDM platform,” he said and added that the PML-Q, PML-F and other political parties were gearing up for the polls. However, the minister added if some parties go for the boycott, they would themselves be responsible for such an initiative.
Commenting on the media-related issues, the Minister said that media- related issues have already been identified in a meeting of Ministry of Information with the representatives of the media. He said all the media-related issues would be solved through discussion.
“It has been decided to forget the past and initiate a fresh start keeping in view our traditions. There is no more mistrust between media and government, and there was only a communication gap which too has ended now. Free, fair and transparent elections are impossible without creating congenial atmosphere for media,” he added.
Expressing satisfaction on Thursday’s meeting with the representatives of APNS, CPNE and PFUJ, he said both the parties have agreed to meet again next week. The progress is expected in connection with resolution of the issues, he added. “Discussion is imperative for resolution of the issues as implementation of laws were ensured with the promulgation of emergency,” he said.
He said the government had no intention to curb the media freedom. Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) have been urged to follow the code of conduct. “I think the code of conduct should be published as well for people’s consideration,” he added.
Nisar Memon said the Ministry was of the view that certain clauses of the code of conduct were not being implemented by certain private TV channels and Pemra has only got implemented its rules in this regard. He urged the electronic media to follow newly devised code of conduct. Memon said, he had resigned from PML post before joining the caretaker government. He vowed to deal every political equally. “Now more than 50 channels will ensure coverage to every party,” he said.
On closure of some TV channels in a foreign country, he said he had been informed that those channels had violated the rules of the land as they were being monitored persistently. “Pakistan has not interfered in matters of any country,” he added. On very first meeting of caretaker cabinet, he said, it was decided that atmosphere would be improved including law and order situation, terrorism. Certain measures were also taken to ease out situation with media, he said.
Nisar A Memon vowed to continue the path of progress and development the country achieved during the last eight years. He urged all stakeholders including media and politicians to join hands with the government to move on consistent path of development and prosperity, and play their due role to successfully complete the third phase of transition towards the complete democracy.
He said, the main reason behind the imposition of emergency was law and order situation. He added that elections were fast approaching and law and order situation was deteriorating in the country.