QUETTA: Balochistan care­taker Information Mini­ster Jan Achakzai on Sunday held out an assurance that the interim government will not try to influence the upcoming elections.

He expressed commitment to ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to conduct the elections in the province in a manner that is impartial, equitable and transparent.

Responding to BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s allegations that certain members of the interim government in Balochistan are associated with specific political parties, Mr Achakzai said the act of stepping down from a party subsequent to taking an oath would not lessen the allegiance or ideological dedication of a cabinet member.

In a statement, Mr Achakzai assured Mr Mengal that the caretaker cabinet members had no political agenda and would not participate in any way in violating the rules set by the ECP.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2023