Daily Times

LAHORE: A high-level meeting was held at Chief Minister’s Office with Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari in the chair.

During the meeting, various steps relating to security of candidates, provision of peaceful atmosphere to voters on polling day and protection of life and property of the people were reviewed in detail.

The chief minister ordered authorities concerned to tighten the security arrangements during the election process and polling day across the province and said that special attention should be given to security of candidates.

He said that implementation on devised security plan for election processions and public gatherings should be ensured. Protection of life and property of the people is the top priority of the state, he said. He said that law enforcement agencies should take all necessary steps and peaceful atmosphere should be ensured.

Askari said that every possible step would be taken to further improve the situation of law and order. The meeting was also briefed about overall law and order situation in the province, steps taken for the security of candidates and arrangements made for maintenance of law and order during the election process.

Separately, a delegation of the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) led by its President Dr Mehboob Hussain called on Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari at his office on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Askari said that he has had a long lasting association with Punjab University and added that he started his first job there. Happy memories of the days spent in Punjab University are part of my life, he added. He said that he would restart his intellectual and journalistic activities after fulfilling the responsibilities of free and fair elections.

He said that ministers of the caretaker cabinet were fully empowered and all governmental matters were being performed with consultations.

“The ongoing public welfare projects are being funded on priority basis and the public welfare programmes are being accelerated while remaining within the mandate.”

Proposals would be extended to next elected government for new public welfare programmes, he said, adding that further resources should be provided for the development of health, education and social sectors.

He said that government, educational institutions, teachers as well as research scholars should jointly work to improve the quality of education. He assured that PUASA demands would be considered. The delegation thanked the chief minister for assuring to ponder over their demands.

Meanwhile, the chief minister on Tuesday donated Rs 0.5 million for construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

In a statement, he said that construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam was very pivotal and the nation should take active part in the campaign for collecting funds for the dam. Keeping in view the present situation of water and the future water needs of the country, every citizen should take part in this noble cause according to their capacity, concluded the chief minister.

Published in Daily Times, July 11^th 2018.