October 9, 2002	Wednesday	Sha’aban 2, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: Minister for Information and Media Development, Nisar Memon, on Tuesday said President Gen Pervez Musharraf has not yet taken any decision to relinquish the charge of Chief of Army Staff.

No decision about the timing of Gen Musharraf giving up the charge of chief of army staff has been taken, Mr Memon told reporters at a function held here at under- construction National Press Club complex.

The information minister rejected the election report compiled by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), alleging that it showed a clear tilt of the commission towards a particular political party.

He said the HRCP report and election reports of some other organizations making allegations of pre-poll rigging lacked ‘objectivity.’

The president, he added, had very politely suggested that observers should only observe rather than passing judgments. Mr Memon said it was also the question of the credibility of these international observers, therefore, they should remain very careful.

About the allegations of pre-poll rigging made by the contesting parties, he regretted that political parties had not shown maturity and had no regard for the national interests.

He recalled that in all the previous elections the losing party had always levelled allegations of rigging.

In a written statement copies of which were distributed to the reporters, he said: “After plethora of rigging charges in the past four elections, diehard rivals Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have joined hands to harp on the same old tune against the common enemy — elections 2002.

“Playing themselves out of Oct 10 polls after being disqualified, the two exiled leaders could hardly afford to sit idle and see their sliding reputation hit the rock bottom.

“Allegations of rigging in almost very polls is nothing new to the people but what has come as a total surprise to them is to watch the all-time-foes sing a duet on elections rigging.”

As regard the proposed press laws, he said, they had reached an understanding with the organizations of newspaper owners.

On a question about the government’s decision of converting Association Press of Pakistan into a public corporation, he said, it would remain under the government control. However, he added that more professional people would be included in the management and on the board.

He allayed the apprehension that some large-scale retrenchment was being contemplated in APP.