Minister sees ‘major surge’ in turnout

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Information Minister Arif Nizami urged the nation on Friday to exercise its right to vote today as the process is a part of the battle for the survival of Pakistan.

“We [the caretaker set-up] have strived hard for holding free, fair and transparent elections in the country and our sincere efforts are bearing fruit today [May 11],” Nizami said while addressing the inauguration of Public Information Department’s media cell for the general elections.

The minister also revealed that there were some serious threats to some sensitive polling stations, particularly in Karachi and Balochistan. “The world will witness a major surge in the voter turnout on May 11. People will come out of their homes to exercise their right to vote,” he added.

The government has also devised a strategy to thwart terrorist attempts to sabotage the electoral process, the minister added. “Pakistan was created in the name of the vote and it will thrive and make progress with the participation of the masses in the electoral process.”

Responding to another question, Nizami said that although law and order was a provincial subject, the federal government had created harmony among all stakeholders.

The minister urged the media to play its role to convince the people at large to exercise their right to vote as the country was at a crossroads.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.