LAHORE: IC&T Caretaker Minister Mian Anjum Nisar briefed about Punjab mines and minerals in the office of Punjab Minerals Department. Secretary Dr Arshad briefed about their department to the minister. He told that the mines and minerals sector in Pakistan contribute 3 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product and minerals sector in the Punjab provides the resource base to a number of industries including cement, soda ash, caustic soda, ceramics, glass, fertiliser, plastic, paper, ghee, construction and steel industries. Apart from these industries, the majority of mining activity is limited to the extraction and sale of raw minerals with very little and no value addition to the mineral through processing and industrialization. He further briefed that the mining industry in the Punjab provides employment opportunities to nearly 40,000 persons workforce, including skilled, unskilled and professionals labor. He told that Mines & Minerals Department have attached departments including directorate generals of Mines & Minerals, chief inspector of mines, Punjab Minerals development company and Punjab Mineral company. The provincial minister said that we have to use all available resources to boost the economy and worked hard as a team. He directed to the secretary Dr Arshad to make possible that representative of Mines and Minerals should be part of all chambers and make foolproof security arrangements for the labor persons. Separately, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Hassan Askari has said that holding of free, fair and peaceful elections is the top priority of the caretaker set up and people will be given full opportunity to use their right of franchise in a congenial environment. He said that environment of peace is imperative for the promotion of trade and economic activities and it is also necessary for promoting investment and opportunities of employment. The caretaker government will leave no stone unturned to improve the situation of law and order, he added. He said that all necessary steps are being taken to further improve the general situation of law and order and added that strategy has been devised to provide a peaceful atmosphere to the voters on the occasion of elections. Maintenance of peaceful atmosphere is the responsibility of the government so that citizens could cast their vote and the caretaker government will fulfill this responsibility in the best of manner, he added. He said that all necessary steps are being taken according to framework of Election Commission of Pakistan to hold peaceful and transparent elections. He said that conducive atmosphere will be ensured for polling so that voters could use their right of franchise without any fear. Latest technology is being fully utilised to maintain law and order and environment of peace in the society, he said. He said that everybody will have to play its role to promote the passion of religious tolerance, brotherhood and patience. The plan of action devised for maintaining an environment of law and order during the elections will be implemented in toto. The responsibility of free, fair and transparent elections will be fulfilled and we shall succeed by the grace of Almighty Allah, concluded Hassan Askari. Askari also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the demise of famous writer and novelist Bushra Rahman’s husband. In his condolence message, the caretaker CM extended sympathies towards the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in peace. Meanwhile, he also expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of famous poet and writer Mehdi Masood. Separately. Askari has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of famous Urdu humour writer Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi. He paid rich tributes to the role of Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi in the field of humour writing and said that he has given new dimension to humour writing with his unique style. “With his death, a beautiful phase of Urdu humour writing has ended today,” he said. “Yusufi will forever live in our hearts due to his writings and his services in Urdu literature especially in the field of humour writing will always be remembered,” concluded the the caretaker CM. Published in Daily Times, June 21st 2018.