ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: The caretaker federal cabinet on Saturday justified the state of emergency as a step towards full democracy while the country fights extremism and militancy.
This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon, who briefed journalists after a cabinet meeting.
The caretaker cabinet’s first meeting observed that it was important that peace and harmony prevailed in the country to successfully continue its fight against extremism and militancy but at the same time it did not break its stride on the course to democracy.
“Violence and protests, if allowed on the streets, could derail the democratic process,” the cabinet noted.
He said the cabinet expressed concerns on unwarranted statements by certain foreign governments and international organisations about the political situation in Pakistan and they conflicted with international norms and devoid of an appreciation of realities in Pakistan.
Reiterating that democracy and elections were in Pakistan’s best national interest, the cabinet said that the caretaker government would ensure that the process was not derailed but it was for the people of Pakistan to decide their political course and elect their rulers and nobody else had the right to impose their choice on them.
The cabinet members said Pakistan was a strong, sovereign nation that had been playing an important role as a responsible member of the international community.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro emphasised that the government’s basic policy objectives included creation of an enabling and conducive atmosphere for holding free, fair and transparent elections.
Earlier, the interior secretary and the NWFP chief secretary briefed the cabinet about the law and order situation.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Syed Afzaal Haider was directed by the cabinet to review in a coordinated manner with the provincial governments and all concerned for the release of political workers, lawyers, human rights activists and students taken into protective custody since the imposition of emergency.
The cabinet also directed Mr Memon, to meet representatives of the print and electronic media to resolve all issues amicably.
