US ‘ wants free, fair polls in Pakistan’

ENVOY SAYS US NOT BIASED AGAINST ANY POLITICIAN OR PARTY

The US is in favour of free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan so that its democratic system is strengthened, American ambassador to the country, Richard Olson, said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters in the eastern city of Lahore, the ambassador said the US was not biased in favour or against any political or party.

He said the US was very hopeful with regard to the general elections in Pakistan and added that his country was a proponent of democracy.

His comments followed a US survey of public opinions in Pakistan about electoral prospects of different political parties in the general elections expected to be held in May, after dissolution of the current federal and provincial assemblies.

Successful conclusion of the elections will bring about first ever transition of power from one elected government to another elected government in the country, which has seen long spells of military rule during its 65- year history.

The International Republican Institute ( IRI), funded by the United States, released at the weekend the results of its latest survey in Pakistan.

The survey says that the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz ( PML- N) is the most popular party, followed by the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf ( PTI) and the Pakistan People’s Party ( PPP).

It said the PML- N, headed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was the favourite at the national level with 32 per cent approval.

The PTI led by cricketer hero-turned- politician Imran Khan is second with 18 per cent and the PPP, which leads the current ruling coalition, is placed third with 14 per cent while the PMLQ and Jamiat Ulema Islam- F of Maulana Fazlur Rehman follow with two per cent each.

The previous IRI survey in August showed that the PML- N had 28 per cent popularity rate. The PTI’s popularity rate decreased from 24 to 19 per cent, while the PPP remained on 14 per cent in both surveys.