Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Nisar Memon Thursday assured the Senate that election was purely transparent in accordance with Article 224-7 of the Constitution and rejected opposition blames of pre-planned rigging.
Winding up the debate on the overall political situation in the country, he refuted the blames of Senator Professor Ibrahim that elections were pre-rigged saying that 800 foreign observers had monitored the elections and over 1,000 foreign journalists were present moreover European Union and the UN Secretary have said that the election was fair and transparent.
He admitted that 18 casualties were recorded during election and 56 persons were injured. Nisar said that the country requires fairness and transparency saying that women are most depressed section of the society and this is the previous government achievement that passed 'Women Protection Bill' in the parliament, women were given 33 percent in the Local Government and 17 percent women were given representation in the parliament.
Moreover, 71 women served in the previous National Assembly, 108 in the Provincial Assemblies and 100 women are serving in the Senate. He said that the caretaker government has fulfilled its responsibility with honesty. There is no restriction on any political party in the country and there is no obstacle in the arrival of the exiled politician in the country to take part in the electoral process.
The caretaker governments created a conducive environment for the elections as above 5,000 politicians were released from the jails to contest the elections. Only house arrested ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and 60 judges were not released for the maintenance of law and order during election.
Memon said that Election Commission role was impartial as the results proved it. He favoured Musharraf government saying "I will defend this parliament which clearly rejected to send Pakistani troops from American side to attack Iraq".
He admitted that during election campaigns most tragic incident was PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto's murder and the government announced 3 days mourning, however, the government applauded PPP decision to contest the election despite the sad killing of Benazir Bhutto.
Memon said that the government had earned Rs 7.5 billion through trade with Afghanistan. Senator Rehmat Ullah Kakar demanded of the government to bring back ex-PM Shaukat Aziz who is the defaulter of Rs 5 billion for accountability and put the names of all ex-ministers on exit control list.
Kakar demanded of the government to end army operations in the tribal areas and denounce American government from attacks on the country's land, unemployed youth must be given employment, introduce educational reforms and put a strict check on the financial assets of army, police, judges, conduct referendum to evaluate President's position and basic necessities of life must be provided to masses at their door steps.
He criticised that Senator Kamran Murtaza has shown fake ballot papers which showed rigging in elections and complaint was forwarded to Election Commission, however, no consideration was given to it.
Opposition Senator Enwer Baig asked the Interior Minister that if any action was taken in trafficking of 40 children by Iranian feudal lord Umar saying that 4 children escaped from their siege demanding the chair to give ruling to Interior minister to place detailed report on the issue after inquiring provincial government.
However, Interior Minister assured that detailed answer will be placed in the Senate. Senator Professor Ibrahim said that Musharraf government is a secular government while Islamic system must be revived in the country. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is detained in the house and his children are deprived of education and health facilities and 60 judges are detained which is sheer injustice with the judiciary, he remarked. Senator S M Zafar said to the armed forces that "enough is enough go back to the barracks".
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