Caretaker CM expresses govt resolve to hold fair polls

LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi Thursday said, the fundamental responsibility of the caretaker set was to hold fair, free and transparent elections in the province.

He stated this while presiding over a high-level meeting in Chief Minister’s office.

During the meeting, provision of facilities at polling stations to be set up in public schools for upcoming general elections and other arrangements were reviewed in detail.

The Chief Minister said, they had to fulfill their national obligation without any discrimination while the long-term planning would be the job of the next elected government.

The nations, he said had provided abundant resources for health and education sectors had excelled.

He said, missing facilities would be provided as soon as possible in schools where polling stations would be setup. "Provision of missing facilities within the stipulated period is our responsibility and it is also very important for the holding of free and fair elections," he added.

He directed that report should be presented by completing the necessary infrastructure of polling stations in the schools.

The Chief Minister also directed to immediately release the non-salary budget of schools education department and said that release of funds should be ensured at the earliest.

He said, non-salary budget should also be released for salaries of part-time teachers working in double-shift schools.

He said salaries should be given to the teachers well in time and no delay should ever occur in this regard.

He said practical provision of facilities at polling stations to be setup in schools for general elections should be completed well in time at every cost. "Necessary facilities for upcoming elections planned on July 25 this year should be ensured within the given framework," he added.

The Chief Minister maintained that civil servants should adopt positive approach and professional thinking and instead of aligning with any party, they should be loyal to their duty. He said polling staff would have to perform their duties in a professional and impartial manner during the polling process and no complaint of any sort of political interference should ever arise.

Earlier, Secretary Schools Dr. Allah Bakhsh Malik gave a briefing regarding establishment of polling stations and posting of staff for the elections.

Provincial Caretaker Minister for Finance & Law Zia Haider Rizvi, Chairman P&D, Secretaries of Schools, Local Government and Finance departments and others attended the meeting.