Federal Minister of Information, Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs, Murtaza Solangi, affirmed on Saturday that all necessary arrangements have been completed to ensure peaceful, fair, and transparent elections in Pakistan on February 8.
Addressing foreign observers and media representatives tasked with monitoring and covering the upcoming elections, Solangi emphasized Pakistan’s position as the fifth largest democracy globally, with the elections just four days away.
Accompanied by officials from the Foreign Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, and the Election Commission of Pakistan, Solangi reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding democracy and facilitating the electoral process.
Highlighting security measures, Solangi outlined a comprehensive strategy involving multiple tiers of security personnel, including police, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, and the Pakistan Army as a rapid response force, to ensure the safety of polling stations and voters.
Regarding media freedom, Solangi affirmed that Pakistan’s media enjoys complete freedom, allowing for diverse opinions and criticisms of the government.
Providing statistics, Solangi mentioned that Pakistan has a total of 128,585,760 registered voters, with 69,263,704 male voters and 59,322,056 female voters.
Responding to concerns about security and terrorism, Solangi acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding battle against terrorism and assured that security forces are fully prepared to combat any threats during the elections.
On the economic front, Solangi highlighted the caretaker government’s initiatives to attract investment, including the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council and signing economic agreements with friendly countries.
Read also: British Journalists Granted Visas to Cover Pakistan’s General Elections
Notably, 92 international observers from various countries, including the European Union, Commonwealth, and Russia, among others, will cover the elections, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Addressing allegations of victimization against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers, Solangi dismissed them as baseless, stating that arrests were made in connection with criminal activities, not political affiliations. He affirmed that PTI leadership is free to criticize the government and seek legal recourse through the judiciary if necessary.
