ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi felicitating nation over peaceful and orderly conduct of general elections said caretaker government had fulfilled solemn pledge of holding elections in line with time-frame, given by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Addressing press conference along with caretaker Interior Minister Dr Gohar Ijaz, he said despite speculations and multiple challenges,” we have consistently stood by our stand regarding conduct of elections”.

Replying to question, he said there was no shutdown of Internet on Election Day and added fixed broadband was functioning and social media platforms were fully used by subscribers.

He pointed out Internet suspension was not specific to Pakistan since many countries opted for shutdown of Internet service, simply due to security reasons.

Sharing data, he said that in 2022, Internet was shut down 187 times in 35 countries of world and neighbouring country, with purported democratic credentials, closed Internet service for 84 times.

He said Pakistan had been fighting longest war against scourge of terrorism with over hundred thousand martyrdoms.

Answering question, he said temporary shutdown of mobile phone service was imperative for protection of people’s lives.

He said that ECP SMS service 8300 had been functional since January 29 and most of voters must have got required information in advance. He acknowledged that people had faced some difficulties, but protecting citizens’ lives was main task and obligation of security agencies and Ministry of Interior. “It was more important for us to save people’s lives and mobile phone service shut-down was done due to security threats,” Murtaza Solangi remarked.

To question, he said large number of independent candidates were elected which was indication of fairness of electoral process. Principal Information Officer Dr Tariq Mehmood Khan was present.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 10 2024

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