November 19, 2007	Monday	Ziqa’ad 08, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 18: The interim government will make every effort to ensure free and fair general election in the country, Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro said here on Sunday.

Talking to journalists at Governor’s House, Soomro said he was in Lahore in connection with a campaign for free and fair elections throughout Pakistan. He said he would consult people from all segments of society during this campaign. He said Governor Khalid Maqbool would accompany him to various areas of the province during this campaign.

The prime minister said the government would help the Election Commission of Pakistan hold transparent elections. He said the government would welcome foreigners to observe the elections here. He said he was ready to listen to and remove all political parties’ reservations about the elections.

Earlier, talking to Maqbool, Soomro said the interim government would function in accordance with its mandate. He said security and political situation would be improved to hold the general election in a peaceful atmosphere. He said, “It is our endeavour to establish contacts with all political parties so that they can freely participate in election process”.

Maqbool greeted Soomro on assuming his new office and briefed him about various election-related measures taken by the Punjab government.

Separately, Commonwealth General-Secretary Don McKinnon phoned Soomro on Sunday evening. Soomro briefed McKinnon about the political and law and order situation in the country and assured him of free and fair general election in the first week of January. —APP