Daily Times

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi has said that his government will ensure holding of free and fair elections in line with the constitutional obligations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the chief minister said: “We are sincerely striving for fulfilling this national obligation in the best of manner. By the Grace of Allah Almighty, we shall come up to the expectations of the nation and full support and assistance will be provided for the establishment of a genuine representative government that will be formed after the exercise of right of vote by the people on July 25.”

The Chief Minister said that provincial administrations had been issued clear-cut instructions to fulfil constitutional and legal responsibilities for peaceful holding of general elections.

He made it clear that caretaker government was following its mandate with complete commitment and all constitutional steps would be followed. “Pakistan is at an important juncture of its democratic history and the world is looking towards the general elections,” he said, adding that the caretaker government would ensure complete implementation of instructions issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan. “We are committed to keeping the election process transparent through effective monitoring by the line departments in the Punjab,” he added.

Dr Rizvi reiterated that amiable atmosphere would be arranged for peaceful holding of elections by the government. He said that it was the prime responsibility of the caretaker government to ensure holding of free and fair elections.

Another responsibility of the caretaker government is to provide peaceful and congenial atmosphere for right of franchise by voters in elections along with maintaining of law and order situation, he added.

He said that democracy would be strengthened through elections and the caretaker government would provide necessary cooperation to make the election process a success.

“The caretaker government has the limited time and scope and every effort will be made to do something better for the people in this limited interlude.”

He added that confidence of the political parties would be restored with the performance of the caretaker set-up. “We are working in an impartial manner within the legal framework and equal opportunities will be arranged for all the political parties and everyone will be facilitated,” he concluded.

Published in Daily Times, June 14^th 2018.