Islamabad: Pakistan's caretaker government today said it is committed to hold free and transparent parliamentary polls as hundreds of people detained under emergency regulations, including cricket-turned-politician Imran Khan, were released from prison.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro reiterated the caretaker administration's resolve to assist the Election Commission in every manner to ensure the fairness and transparency of the election scheduled for January 8.

The government, Soomro told a meeting of his cabinet, will take every possible step to ensure the holding of the polls in a secure and peaceful environment.
Law Minister Afzal Hayder told state-run PTV that the government had freed 5,634 political activists and lawyers arrested following the imposition of emergency on November 3. He said another 623 people were still in custody and authorities had been ordered to release them. Among those freed today were former cricket captain and Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan. Hayder also briefed the cabinet about his efforts to release political activists and lawyers.

Soomro directed the interior ministry to coordinate with provincial governments to ensure that journalists are treated with dignity and respect and law enforcing agencies exercise maximum restraint while dealing with protests by scribes.

Source : PTI