KARACHI, Aug 10: Federal Minister for Information and Media Development Nisar A Memon has reiterated government commitment to ensure free, fair and transparent national polls on Oct 10.

Addressing a seminar “Pakistan Under Changed World Scenario and New Democratic Order”, organized by Defence Residents Association here on Saturday evening, the minister also strongly negated the impression created by vested interest of rigging or manoeuvring on part of any state agency.

Expressing his serious reservations about maligning of these agencies, he said since they are meant to protect and safeguard national security besides ensuring public safety hence would duly realise their responsibilities.

According to him President Musharraf or any of the ministers are no party during the forthcoming elections and they all hope that masses would caste their votes with care ensuring establishment of a tolerant Islamic society.

Mr Memon regretting the cynical attitude observed among certain group of intelligentsia reminded that despite the fact incident of Sept 11, 2001 in USA was termed “ A failure of National Security “ yet the think tank came forward to the assistance of American government and instead of surrendering helped it adopting a policy which was in the larger national interest of Americans.

Mr Nisar referring to the “Post September 11” foreign policy of Pakistan said this was most pragmatic and in the larger national interest.

“It was at Almate during a regional conference that President Pervez Musharraf through his outgoing approach made the world including USA and Russia realise the stubbornness of Indian Prime Minister,” he said.

On the occasion the minister explicitly discussed the vitality of Pakistan’s foreign Policy as well as economic policy, mentioning that with the exception of India, the country has managed to develop friendly ties with all.

As for the present government’s economic achievement, he said that against the $600 million asset of the State at the time when President Pervez Musharraf assumed power the amount has gone up to $7 billion.

Pakistan is strongly relying on developing regional alliances based on economic linkages, he said.

The minister also referred to the devolution plan of the government aimed to empower the masses adding that constitutional amendments are also in process.—APP