US offers Pak poll observers

The US has offered to provide observers for Pakistan’s October polls in a bid to make the process free and fair.

‘‘The US hopes to contribute to the poll process by providing election observers and training watchers, among other projects,’’ US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca said on Monday. ‘‘The US looks forward to the holding of free and fair elections that will return the country to democratic rule,’’ she said.

Pakistan People’s Party vice-chairperson Makhdoom Amin Fahim said the US officials were informed about the issue of return of party’s chairperson Benazir Bhutto to participate in the polls. Referring to the proposed amendments, he told Rocca ‘‘We term these amendments as pre-poll rigging.’’