Punjab interim govt ready to hold elections on ECP directions: Naqvi

Caretaker CM says his only mandate is to hold free and fair polls in the province

LAHORE:

Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi has said that the interim set-up is ready to hold elections in the province on the directions of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“We are ready to hold elections whenever the ECP asks us to do. Being caretaker, we have no other mandate but to hold free and fair elections in Punjab,” the interim CM said while speaking to the media in Lahore on Monday.

After assuming charge as caretaker chief minister, he highlighted, there were lot of things which needed to be improved in almost all sectors.

However, we have very limited time but we will try to make the difference in our limited capacity before the end of our short stint, he added.

Responding to a question, Naqvi said he was not affiliated with any political party and decided not to respond to any criticism against him.

“My responsibility is to hold elections in the province and run day to day affairs of the government for interim period. All transfers and posting in Punjab are being done on the directions of the ECP.”

Answering another question about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s statements to arrest PTI leaders and worker, caretaker chief minister said he had no intention to arrest anyone. However, if someone creates a law-and-order situation, the law will take its own course without discrimination, he maintained, adding that he did not want to become a “victim of any controversy”.

Also read: Caretaker Punjab CM violates election code

Answering another question, he said despite security threats, he decided not to interfere in the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) daily public gatherings outside former PM Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.

“I prefer to remain silent otherwise they will say that the interim government is interfering in their political affairs. I don’t want to get involved in any controversy,” he said.

The interim provincial cabinet will decide how to deal with upcoming Jail Bharo (court arrests) movement, the caretaker CM added.

Speaking about the Ramazan package, he said planning was underway to give maximum relief to citizens during the holy month. The government will try to give maximum benefit to masses during the holy month for which a huge subsidy package is being planned.

Answering a question about unfortunate lynching incident in Nankana Sahib, Naqvi said though he could not stop the incident, he would try to ensure justice in the case. “I will do my best to conclude the trial during my term otherwise it would be a great regret for me that I could not ensure justice to the victim family,” he underscored.

Also read: ECP asked to hold Punjab, NA polls on same day

Speaking about the shortage of medicines, Naqvi said medicine shortage was a result of delay and restrictions in import of raw materials. However, his interim government has taken up the matter with the federal government to ease out the situation.

The caretaker chief minister further added that this year the government will roll out Rs575 billion for wheat procurement drive and for this purpose the government is considering to appoint some upright civil servants.

“The government has decided to give them some incentives to ensure zero pilferage of public money. Wheat support price is also being reviewed and a very good wheat support price will be announced in coming days,” he concluded.