ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: Caretaker Minister for Information Nisar Memon on Sunday said the interim government would provide level- playing fields to all political parties taking part in the forthcoming general elections.

“Holding of fair, free and impartial elections in a secure environment is our objective so that the voters could exercise their right to franchise without any pressure. The national media would ensure equal coverage to all political parties,” he said while talking to a 10-member delegation from the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly which called on him here on Sunday.

Chief Executive, Northern Areas Legislative Assembly, Mir Ghazanfar Ali led the delegation which also included assembly members Noorul Ain, Dr Muzaffar Ali, Abdul Hamid, Abdul Quddoos, Sikandar Ali, Ibrahim Sanai, Baghir Ahmad Khan, Dilshad Bana and Wazir Irfan Ali.

According to a press release, the minister said the interim government would take all necessary initiatives to preserve the progress achieved during the past eight years so that the national economy could grow further.

Hailing the steps of the federal government taken for empowerment of the people of the Northern Areas, the minister said the historic decision of the government to write-off liabilities of poor peasants of the Northern Areas was another step towards fulfilling the promises made to share the burden of the poor people of the area.