Caretaker Chief Minister Hasan Askari Rizvi visits Iqbal's tomb

LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Minister Prof Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi on Saturday visited the mausoleum of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He laid a wreath on the grave, offered Fateha and also recorded his impression in the visitor's book.

He prayed for development, progress and solidarity of the country.

Talking to media representatives on the occasion, Hasan Askari Rizvi said the basic responsibility of the interim government was to ensure the holding of fair, free and transparent elections.

The interim government will provide equal opportunities to all political parties keeping in view the framework given by the Election Commission of Pakistan, he added.

He said second basic responsibility of the interim government was the maintaining of law and order and provision of peaceful environment for voters.

Caretaker CM said that elections strengthen democracy and the interim government provides cooperation for the election process.

Hasan Askari said, "Visiting the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal is the matter of pride for him and the government of Pakistan has set up Iqbal Chair in the Heidelberg University of Germany where he had discharged his duties for three years". A big portion of famous road in Heidelberg has been named after Allama Iqbal, he added.

Responding to a question, he said, "we will work in neutral status within legal limits and will provide equal opportunities and facilities to all political parties.

To a question, he said our cabinet will be small and no political persons would be included in it.