Pak expats voice concern over poll safety

According to international media reports, the Pakistan government has already deployed around 80,000 troops on the streets ahead of the polls today. Pakistanis are afraid of the violence that may spark due to the violence and claims of expected rigging in the elections, say the reports.

''I have requested my relatives not to take part in the elections today because there could be a danger to their lives. The bomb blast in a polling station on Friday has scared us,' opined Mohammed Shareef, an accountant at a private firm in Sharjah.

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Madeeha Khan, a housewife said, 'Though we are not directly involved in the elections. My family back home has said that the situation is tense, and most of them have decided to stay away from the voting process as violence is expected.'

Similar views were expressed by expats from all walks of life. 'We are not allowed to take part in the voting process from here, but the ones who are ready to do so are afraid for their lives. How can the elections be free and fair if half of the voters do not take part in the process because they are afraid that a bomb may go off anytime?' questioned Sameer Hussain.

Meanwhile, a seminar was held yesterday at Sofitel Hotel Dubai under the name 'Progressive Pakistan' which was attended by hundreds of Pakistanis in UAE.

'The event was held to unite Pakistanis before today's elections in Pakistan, as well as ask them to be part of the democratic process of voting.

'Basim Ahmed, the officer of the Facebook.com group 'The Only Hope- Musharraf' and a student at the American University of Sharjah, organised the seminar.

'He commented, 'Whichever party we vote for, we urge them put an end to fighting and taking revenge. This is not about ourselves, it's about Pakistan.'

'Several Pakistanis from all walks of life attended the event.

'Aneela Javaid, a lawyer and CEO of Bahrain-based 7tnine Developments said, 'We as overseas Pakistanis request the government to facilitate us with the platform of recognition.'

'The event was sponsored by Agha Murtaza Hussain, Director International Marketing of National Tiles and Ceramics LTD, who is also a part of the Agha Groups of Companies Pakistan. Hussain has also been awarded the highest humanitarian award of the Pakistani government by the President Pervez Musharraf in 2006 at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Islamabad for his services and donations in the earthquake relief fund.

'After the seminar, a special book was also arranged for the audience to pen down their remarks, feelings, suggestions, comments and wishes as the book would be hand delivered by Agha himself to President Pervez Musharraf in the coming days. 'Meanwhile, representatives of Pakistan Association Dubai and Pakistan Social Centre said that though members were free to discuss political issues within the premises, no other kind of activity was allowed.