Daily Times

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi presided over a high-level meeting at his office and reviewed provision of facilities at polling stations to be set up in public schools for upcoming general elections.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that fundamental responsibility of the caretaker setup was to hold free, fair and transparent elections. “We will ensure our national obligation without any discrimination while the long-term planning would be the job of the next elected government.”

He said that missing facilities would be provided as soon as possible in schools where polling stations would be setup. “Provision of missing facilities within the stipulated period is our responsibility and it is also very important for the holding of free and fair elections.” He sought a report after completing the necessary infrastructure at polling stations.

The chief minister also directed officials concerned to immediately release the non-salary budget of the School Education Department and said that release of funds should be ensured at the earliest. He said that non-salary budget should also be released for salaries of part-time teachers working in double-shift schools.

He said that salaries should be given to the teachers well in time and no delay should ever occur in this regard. He said that practical provision of facilities at polling stations to be setup in schools for general elections should be completed well in time at every cost. Necessary facilities for upcoming elections planned on July 25 this year should be ensured within the given framework, he added.

The chief minister maintained that civil servants should adopt positive approach and professional thinking and instead of aligning with any party, they should be loyal to the state. He said that polling staff should perform their duties in a professional and impartial manner during the polling process and no complaint of any sort of political interference should ever arise.

Earlier, Schools Secretary Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik gave a briefing on establishment of polling stations and posting of staff for the elections.

Provincial Caretaker Minister for Finance and Law Zia Haider Rizvi, planning and development chairman, secretaries of schools, local government and finance departments and others attended the meeting.

Separately, Lahore Corp Commander Lt Gen Amir Riaz called on Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi at Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday.

The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of Pak Army in the war against terrorism and lauded the great sacrifices of martyrs.

The chief minister said that nation was proud of its brave armed forces adding that war against terrorism was the fight for the survival of the country. The whole nation is firm and united in this war, he added. He said that armed forces of Pakistan had played a remarkable role against terrorism.

He said that those who had sacrificed their lives were brave heroes of the nation. The reward of immortal sacrifices of the martyrs had been achieved in shape of peace, he said.

He said that brutal criminals could not face the unwavering commitment of the nation. The brave armed forces of Pakistan had written a new history of bravery in the war against terrorism and armed forces have the fullest capabilities to deal with internal and external challenges. He said that mindset of terrorism, fanaticism; extremism and sectarianism would have to be crushed with full force.

Published in Daily Times, June 15^th 2018.