Daily Times

A delegation of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) led by its secretary general Sarmad Ali called on Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hassan Askari at Chief Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Fateha Khwani and prayers were offered for the martyrs of Peshawar tragedy and early recovery of the injured. The meeting also strongly condemned the Peshawar blast.

Talking on the occasion, the caretaker Punjab chief minister said that best possible safety arrangements are being made in wake of security threats. Any speculations about holding of the elections are unnecessary and totally baseless. Matters relating to the elections and other relevant issues will be settled with mutual understanding and in consultation with the political parties, he said. The caretaker government is facing the triangular challenge of elections, security and day to day issues. District administration is responsible for elections related matters and their arrangements at the grassroots.

The caretaker government will prove its neutrality with its actions. He said that caretaker government is committed for ensuring law and order during the elections. Everyone has to play its role for the elimination of terrorism. Equal opportunities will be provided to the political parties and peaceful atmosphere will be arranged for the people in elections. He said that caretaker government is totally neutral and apolitical and will remain so. We are working with our limited mandate and framework of the election commission, he added. Media should create public awareness during the elections. We are not oblivious of problems of the newspapers industry and have sympathies towards media workers. He said that merit and transparency will be ensured in the distribution of advertisements. Payments of outstanding dues of the advertisements will be made soon.

APNS Secretary General Sarmad Ali said that the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) Department of the Punjab government is the most organised holding the unique honour of appointing a female as DGPR.

Office-bearers of APNS and members of the Punjab committee attended the meeting.

The CM also interacted with the journalists, and replied to all their questions. Provincial Information Minister Ahmed Waqas Riaz and Secretary Information Bilal Ahmed were also present on the occasion.

A separate high-level meeting was held at the CM’s Office with Caretaker Punjab CM Dr Hassan Askari in the chair in which representatives of political parties were also present.

Matters relating to implementation of code of conduct and arrangements made for the security of the candidates and leading political leaders came under discussion.

Addressing the meeting, CM Dr Hassan Askari said that security of political leaders, candidates as well as the people is the first priority and added that cooperation of political parties and their candidates is essential to deal with the threat of terrorism. The political parties will gain equal opportunities due to peaceful atmosphere during the elections. Matters relating to the elections are being settled in consultation with the political parties, he added. The candidates should ensure implementation on code of conduct of the election commission for their security.

“We want to transform this occasion as an election of equal opportunities for all the parties,” he said adding that political parties, candidates and the caretaker government are committed to achieve the collective objective of peaceful atmosphere.

It’s a sensitive occasion and a time to remain sane instead of becoming emotional. He said that candidates can contact him, ministers or the local administration in case of any issue or the complaint. The caretaker government is making utmost efforts for the solution of every complaint and it is fully alert to perform its duties and its eyes and ears are fully open, he added.

Provincial Home Minister Shaukat Javed said that anti-Pakistan elements are bent upon ruining the peaceful atmosphere. Last few days are crucial and implementation on code of conduct is very essential to ensure security. Representatives of the political parties said that cooperation will be extended to the government to ensure peaceful holding of the elections. They also assured of following the code of conduct. Representatives of political parties taking part in the elections, provincial ministers including Syed Zia Haider Rizvi, Shaukat Javed, Ahmed Waqas Riaz, Zafar Mehmood, Chief Secretary, ACS, IG Police, Secretary Information and others attended the meeting.

Hassan Askari also visited the CM’s Complaint Cell at 5-Club Road on Wednesday.

He inspected different sections and monitored the procedure of redressal of complaints. He also met with the complainants and issued on-spot instructions for the solution of their complaints. Ministers Zia Haider Rizvi, Ahmed Waqas Riaz and others were also present on the occasion. Talking to the complainants, the CM said that complaints cell has been reactivated to solve the problems of the people and added that online complaints can also be submitted now.

Published in Daily Times, July 12^th 2018.