ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Federal Information and Media Development Minister Nisar A. Memon said here on Monday that there was no King’s Party, and the bogey is being raised by those who are not prepared for the polls.

In an interview with APP, he said certain political parties were saying this because they were opposed to the reforms initiated by President Pervez Musharraf.

“It’s a normal phenomen that there will be certain political parties who will support the reforms of any government while there would be others who would be opposed to it,” he stated.

In response to a question, he said: “It’s but natural. It’s a democratic country, so, those political parties who supported the package of reforms of the government are being bracketed by those opposed to them.”

These elements, he said had coined the word King’s Party. “It’s becuase they are disappointed.”

He said that these elements were further disappointed when they found that more and more political parties now lent support to the reforms introduced by the Musharraf government.

“Now, they see more alliances coming up.”

GOVT BACKING EC: In reply to a question, he said the government was fully behind the Election Commission and whatever their recommendations and requirements, the government conforming to that.

“If they are suggesting certain changes in the law, we are also making that,” he said.

We are also thinking of imposing heavy penalties on anyone who violates the fairness of the elections.”

About constituencies, he said these were fixed and the voters would have to prove their bona fides to cast their votes.

He said the government had allowed international observers to monitor the fairness of the polls.

However, he warned the people to beware of the observers from not-so-friendly countries who could come in the country with particular designs. The people of Pakistan would stand guard against such designs, he added.

To a question, he said President Musharraf had created a history by effecting a definitive change that would pave the way for restoration of sustainable democracy in the country.—APP