3000 visas to election observers, no visa request: Memon
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker minister for information, Nisar A. Memon on Thursday said that so far 3000 visas had been issued to election observers from different countries and not a single request for visa had been refused.He was talking to a delegation of Friends of Pakistan from Canada led by Saroor Zaidi and included Amir Shamsi, President, and Reza Mazhar, Director of Operations that called on him to discuss matters relating to observers of February 18 general elections visiting Pakistan.
The minister told the delegation that the European Union had increased the number of its observers from 70 to 110 while Democracy International of USA was sending 35 observers and four observers are from OIC.
He said it showed the openness of the caretaker setup that was not a continuity of the past government but was there to run the country to create an atmosphere helpful for total transparency for holding free, fair and impartial elections.
He said the caretaker government had made no changes in the delimitations of the constituencies to ensure the elections free of influence.
He said all observers would be free to visit any polling station in Islamabad and all the four provinces and if they will be interested to visit other cities, they have to arrange it with the cooperation of the security agencies. The foreign observers, he continued, will have to follow the internationally recognized code of conduct, besides the Election Commission of Pakistan has issued guidelines for them.
The minister informed the delegation that Accreditation Cards were being issued to 250 foreign diplomats while 1800 members from local media have been given observers cards.
He said the foreign ministry has issued visas to at least 500 members from foreign media and more than 400 international monitors. Federal Government would arrange for visits of foreign observers in coordination with respective provincial governments.
Nisar Memon said that the government would take all necessary measures to ensure security of the voters, candidates, political leaders, national assets and public and private properties and the people must also remain vigilant, extend cooperation and provide information which could facilitate and strengthen the security arrangements.
The people and government are fully aware of the importance of media and it is expected of creating an awareness among the masses to prepare them for their vigorous participation in the elections so that they fulfil their constitutional and democratic right to elect their representatives and thus help from a government with the mandate to make an economically stable Pakistan where social justice is dispensed to each citizen. He said PTV, Radio and APP were giving equal coverage to all the political parties taking part in the elections.