Caretaker CM takes stock of pressing issues

Urged officials to perform their duty with honesty and dedication

LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari reviewed preparations for general elections and arrangements for floods, dengue and polio during a meeting at the CM House.

The meeting decided to deploy 259,000 policemen for election duty. The meeting also decided to provide security to important political personalities who are facing threats. Security would also be made available at public gatherings and rallies where the safety of candidates would be ensured.

The meeting was informed that there were 6,335 A-category, 16,944 B-category and 24,201 C-category polling stations. As many as 2,832 violations of the code of conduct had been reported across the province and action had been taken as per the law.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Askari said 47,473 polling stations would be set up to elect 141 National Assembly and 297 provincial assembly representatives. A mechanism, devised in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies, was also given its final shape for a peaceful environment.



Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab to implement the election code of conduct. The cabinet committee for law and order was also reviewing the security situation in the province regularly.

The caretaker CM ordered indiscriminate action against violators of the election code of conduct. He said divisional and district administrations and police should take immediate action over any violation.

He added transparent and peaceful elections were a joint responsibility and everyone must perform their duties with honesty and dedication to this end. Dr Hasan Askari ordered special attention to the law and order and security situation. Turning his attention to the monsoon season, he stated that no stone should be left unturned when making arrangements to cope with the rains. “Departments should remain alert during the rainy season,” he added.             The CM said the flood monitoring room was working 24 hours a day and official departments have set a good example during the recent heavy rains.

He ordered that the embankments of rivers should be checked regularly. Reviewing arrangements to combat dengue, the caretaker CM said the decided plan should be implemented strictly to avoid an outbreak. “The implementation of the dengue control plan is a big challenge. He said that joint efforts should also continue to control polio.

The meeting was briefed that 854 boats, 17,968 lifejackets, 4,050 life rings, 1,437 de-watering sets, 48,799 tents, 21,620 blankets, 52 boat trollies, 30 generators, 49,939 plastic mats and 43,226 mosquito nets have been stocked. Meanwhile, it was also stated that surveillance teams were working towards dengue control. No death has been reported due to the virus in 2018.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2018.