ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: Pakistan on Wednesday set guidelines for more than 1,000 observers and foreign journalists expected to visit the country in connection with the general election. The move is seen by some analysts here as an attempt to restrict movement and activities of poll monitors.
“The observers can visit constituencies, two each on the election day, after making arrangements with relevant departments to address security concerns, while journalists can visit Islamabad and four provincial capitals from where arrangements could be made for them to travel to other towns,” said Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq at his weekly press briefing on Wednesday.
Despite repeated assurances to the international community that it would allow unrestricted international monitoring of the general election, the government had earlier said that observers were not allowed to conduct exit polls.
Mr Sadiq said: “The number of observers from abroad and foreign missions whose requests have been processed now totals 500. A corresponding number of foreign journalists are also coming to cover the elections, which takes the total to about 1,000 for now.”
Most of the international observers are likely to be from the European Union, which already has a sizeable contingent on the ground. A small team is expected from the OIC while a few foreign politicians and small teams pulled together from embassies in Islamabad are also expected to tour the country.
Pakistan has decided to keep out observers from the Commonwealth, saying the had suspended its membership. And the government appeared to be in no mood to review its position. Mr Sadiq said: “You would recall that Commonwealth suspended Pakistan’s membership in haste.”
A US-based organisation, the International Republican Institute, which was expected to field a large number of observers, has withdrawn, citing security concerns.
About IRI’s withdrawal, Mr Sadiq said: “We have learnt that IRI would not send observers because of security concerns. However, the Democracy International Inc is sending 35 observers.”
BUS SERVICE: Mr Sadiq said Pakistani and Indian officials would shortly meet to review the existing bus service arrangement between the two countries.
“A meeting is scheduled on Feb 13-14 to review the bus services … The routes are Nankana-Amritsar, Lahore-Amritsar and Lahore-Delhi. One of the routes has few passengers and may be merged with another if required.”
ARMS RACE: Responding to a question regarding Pakistan’s position on India’s plans for massive defence spending, he said: “We are against the introduction of any new weapon systems in South Asia as we feel that this would inevitably lead to an arms race. However, we will spare no efforts or resources to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
GWADAR: Commenting on Indian naval chief’s statement about Gwadar, he said: “Gwadar port has been built to promote economic and commercial interests of Pakistan, improving the life of the people of Balochistan and to provide access to the sea to the landlocked countries in the north.
“There should be no concern on Gwadar to any quarter. I must add that Pakistan-China relations are for the betterment of the lives of our two peoples and are not aimed against any third country.”
