ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau Lt Gen Tanvir Naqvi on Wednesday said the government is committed to democracy and elections will be held in accordance with timetable announced by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Speaking in a BBC programme “Hard Talk”, the chairman of NRB said: “We have been committed to democracy from the day that the government came in.”

We are interested in introducing democracy in the country because we do believe that democracy is the way to go for Pakistan, he added.

He reminded that President Musharraf while launching the programme for grass-roots democracy on Aug 14 this year, also laid down the timetable for national elections in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court.

He said the people enthusiastically took part in the local government elections which were held in a free and fair manner.

Gen Naqvi assured the government would set up democracy that is genuine, sustainable and delivers good governance ensuring irreversible transfer of power to the people.

To a question, he said national elections will be held on party basis. Some changes will be made in the constitution to make the democracy work on a sound footing.

He affirmed that President Musharraf would continue to remain the President with a mandate from the nation.

“The real mandate comes from acceptability of the people,” he added.

He commented that they were not working with a motivation to improve the government’s image abroad. “That is an effect that will automatically come about.”

He said the government has held consultations with people on issues of federalism and provincial autonomy and further discussions will be held at different forums on matters concerning next elections and establishment of durable democracy.

Replying to a question, he emphasised the government is ruling the country with a benign democratic system. The government is handling a peculiar situation which needed peculiar laws.

“I can assure that political freedom is much more than ever before. Everybody is expressing whatever views he feels for,” Mr Naqvi added.

There is more freedom of speech than ever before. The president told the editors of the newspapers and newsmen that you can write anything against me but take care of national interest, he continued.

Chairman NRB further said they are addressing the issue of transparency in governance. “We need to change a whole lot about availability of information.”

He said emergency measures were needed to nab those who looted national wealth and took the money abroad leaving behind the people to suffer in deprivation and poverty.—APP