Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Dr Hassan Askari said that the interim government has vigilantly fulfilled its national responsibility by taking steps to conduct free and fair elections as well as ensured law and order by providing safety to the life and property of public. He further shared that all departments have played their proactive part to make it possible. “It was teamwork and all concerned departments have fulfilled their obligations,” Caretaker CM Punjab Dr Hassan Askari said, adding that timely organisation of peaceful, transparent and independent elections was a huge challenge for the interim government and we got victory in it as the entire team of interim government has fulfilled its responsibility with passion and determination. He said that interim government was given the responsibility to conduct free, transparent and independent elections which was fulfilled honestly and we have organised fair elections as per our promise. With the cooperation of public, the caretaker government of Punjab has successfully completed the phase of organising fair elections, he added. Dr Hassan Askari said that all parties have been provided with level planning field in order to ensure transparent and free elections. He said that Pakistani people have independently used their right to vote and discipline of people during polling was exemplary. He said that hard-work of caretaker government has yielded the fruit of continuity in democratic process for public. Dr Askari also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the fatal traffic accident at Kohat Indus Highway near Lachi which has cost precious human lives. He profoundly commiserated with the bereaved families of the deceased. While praying for the quick recovery of those who were injured in the accident, Dr Askari said that “our sympathies are with the aggrieved families who lost their loved ones and we are standing closely with them in this hour of anguish”. Published in Daily Times, August 6th 2018.