LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Dr Hassan Askari has said that caretaker government has fulfilled the promise of holding free, fair and impartial elections in a peaceful manner. Millions of people have used their right of franchise in a peaceful manner while the caretaker government has fulfilled the responsibility of holding transparent and impartial elections in a proper way. That is why people have expressed their complete confidence over foolproof arrangements made for the elections. In a statement on Thursday, the caretaker chief minister Punjab congratulated the administration and police for making best arrangement for transparent and peaceful elections. He also appreciated the performance of Pakistan Army and Rangers for extending full cooperation to the Punjab government for making effective security arrangements on polling day. “I am thankful to Pak Army and Rangers who helped to maintain law and order along with Punjab government, police and other law enforcement agencies for the execution of holding general elections,” he added. “No doubt, it was a collective responsibility which has been performed in a proper manner. The performance of Pak Army, Rangers, police, administration and other relevant agencies remained up to the mark,” he added. The law and order situation remained under control due to effective measures of the Punjab government. He said that people also showed discipline on the polling day and they deserve congratulations for that. He said that caretaker Punjab government provided full opportunities to the voters to use their democratic right independently and it has proved its neutrality with practical performance. Provincial administration, police, Pak Army, Rangers and other agencies have rendered yeoman service for peaceful holding of elections. Line departments exhibited their best performance for peaceful elections, he added. He said that foolproof security arrangements were made for the provision of peaceful atmosphere to voters and maintenance of law and order during the elections. The administration in Punjab provided every possible facility to the voters to use their right of franchise and security agencies performed their duties in a very professional manner. “We pay tributes to those who have extended cooperation in the arrangements of transparent and peaceful elections and their role in neutral election will always be remembered. The people in the Punjab province have given a proof of being conscientious human beings through peaceful elections and proved that they have great attachment with the democracy. With the grace of Allah Almighty and due to the collective efforts, we have succeeded in holding of peaceful and transparent elections,” concluded the CM. Caretaker CM Punjab Hassan Askari also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of five Army jawans in an accident in Battagram and extended sympathies to the bereaved families. “We pay tributes to the Army jawans who have embraced martyrdom while performing their duties and pray to Allah Almighty to give solace to the bereaved families to bear the loss with equanimity,” concluded the CM. Published in Daily Times, July 27th 2018.