Daily Times

Interim Chief Minister Punjab Dr Hassan Askari presided over a high level meeting at the CM Office on Saturday.

The preparations for the general elections and arrangements for floods, dengue and polio were discussed in the meeting in detail. The meeting decided to deploy 259,000 police for the election duty. The meeting also decided to provide security to important political personalities due to threats. Security will also be provided to public gatherings and rallies, and candidates will be provided due security.

Addressing the meeting, Interim CM Dr Hassan Askari said 47,473 polling stations will be set up for voting that will be held for 141 seats of National Assembly and 297 seats of provincial assembly of Punjab. Mechanism with Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies for peaceful law and order was also given final shape. Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab for the implementation of Election Code of Conduct.

The Cabinet Committee for Law and Order regularly reviews security situation in the province. The interim chief minister directed indiscriminate action against violators of the Election Code of Conduct and said divisional and district administrations and police should take immediate against the violation of the Code of Conduct.

The Election Code of Conduct should be implemented strictly. The transparent and peaceful holding of the general elections is our joint responsibility. Everybody should discharge their duties with honesty and dedication. We will be able to discharge our national duty in an effective manner if we work with honesty and dedication. The interim government is taking all measures with consultation. The interim chief minister directed to pay special attention on the law and order and security situations. The election code of conduct should be implemented strictly for the successful general elections.

The administration and police should maintain close contact with contesting candidates. The meeting decided to keep constant monitoring of protective embankments in view of flooding. The interim chief minister said no stone should be left unturned in the arrangements to manage flooding and monsoon rains.

The departments should keep themselves alert during relief and rescue work during rains. He said flood monitoring room is working 24/7. The departments have set good example by showing excellent performance during heavy rains. It proves that we can get good results with teamwork. The interim chief minister said embankments of rivers should be checked regularly. While reviewing arrangements for dengue, the interim CM said the decided plan for dengue control should be implemented strictly to avert dengue outbreak. The implementation of the dengue control plan is a big challenge.

He said polio control is our national duty and joint efforts in this regard should keep continue. The meeting was informed that there are 6335 A category polling stations, 16944 B category polling stations and 24201 C category polling stations. As many as 2832 violations of Code of Conduct have been reported across the province so far and action has been taken as per law. The meeting was told that 854 boats, 17968 life jackets, 4050 life rings, 1437 de-watering sets, 48799 tents, 21620 blankets, 52 boat trollies, 30 generators, 49939 plastic mats and 43226 mosquito nets have been stocked. The meeting was told that surveillance team are working for dengue control.

No death has been reported due to dengue this year so far.

The suspected cases of dengue are less as compare to the last year. Arrangements are complete for polio control and no case of polio has been reported this year so far. Interim provincial ministers Zafar Mehmood, Shaukat Javed, Jawwad Sajjid and Saeedullah Babar, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary home, senior member Board of Revenue, IGP and senior officers of concerning departments also attended the meeting, while commissioners and RPOs attended meeting via video link.

Dr Hasan Askari said in his message on the second death anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi that Edhi has set up best example of human service and we should all learn from Abdul Sattar Edhi. Edhi was an asset of Pakistan and he was true identity of Pakistan.

He served humanity without discrimination of race, colour and religion. He is pride of humanity and he proved respect for humanity is the foundation of every religion. He spent all of his life in the service of humanity and today we need to promote this passion in every field of life. The best way to pay homage to Edhi is to serve the distressed humanity.

Published in Daily Times, July 8^th 2018.