LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Hassan Askari said that holding of peaceful and transparent elections was a daunting task and this challenge has been met with the blessings of Allah Almighty. He said a level playing field was provided to all the parties to ensure free and transparent elections. The Pakistani people have proved that they are fully conscious with regard to continuity of democracy. The caretaker Punjab chief minister said that the caretaker government was given the responsibility of holding free and transparent elections and this has been performed honestly. Effective monitoring of elections helped in maintenance of law and order and millions of police jawans diligently performed their duties despite harsh weather. He said that administration in Punjab has given a proof of its professional competence by making best arrangements for elections. Similarly, caretaker Punjab government fulfilled the commitment of neutrality and the promise of holding timely elections in a peaceful environment has also been put across. He said the whole team of caretaker government performed its duties with commitment and passion and received the reward of hard work and untiring efforts in shape of continuity of democratic process. “I am also thankful to voters and media for following the code of conduct of election commission,” concluded the CM. Caretaker Punjab CM Hassan Askari said that creating necessary awareness among the masses about protection from hepatitis is very essential. In his message on World Hepatitis Day, the CM said that society will also have to play its role for eradicating hepatitis from the society. He said that collective efforts would have to be initiated to save the new general from this fatal disease. “We could be protected from this fatal disease by adopting necessary precautionary measures as prevention is better than cure,” he said adding that effective awareness campaign should also be launched regarding protection from hepatitis and adoption of precaution measures. It is the demand of this day that concerned departments should strenuously perform their duties as practical steps are required to overcome hepatitis, concluded the CM. Hassan Askari also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of four persons of a family due to fire that broke out in Islamabad. He extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family. Askari has also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death former attorney general of Pakistan Irfan Qadir’s father. In his condolence message, the CM prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude. Published in Daily Times, July 28th 2018.