KARACHI: Air Marshal Nur Khan, Governor of West Pakistan, said in Karachi today [Dec 23] that the Government, being not a party to elections, would be in an advantageous position to conduct the elections in the best possible manner.

Replying to a question at a Press conference held at the Government House, he assured that the Police would keep aloof from the public meetings and processions but would be called in only when public life or property was endangered.

The Governor hoped that the various political parties would come to an understanding on how best to operate in the pre-election period — the object being to let the people decide freely through normal political activity. He said it was necessary that in keeping with the guidelines set by Martial Law 60, the political leaders and their parties would carry on electioneering at a certain acceptable level and avoid generating unnecessary heat.

Asked as to when the One Unit would be undone, the Governor said it was not for him to fix a date. He, however, felt the President of Pakistan might be able to make an announcement when he gives the legal framework in pursuance of his Nov 28 broadcast.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2019