CM pledges polls as per ECP order

LAHORE:

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi vowed on Monday to hold polls for the provincial assembly whenever the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would issue instructions in this regard.

“Being caretaker, we have no other mandate except holding free and fair elections in Punjab,” he remarked while speaking to the media.

He said there were a lot of things which needed to be improved in almost all sectors after the caretaker government assumed charge.

“We have very limited time but we will try to make a difference within our limited capacity before the end of our short stint,” he added.

Replying to a question, Naqvi said he was not linked to any political party and had decided not to respond to any criticism being made against him.

“My responsibility is to hold elections in the province and run day to day affairs of the government during the interim period,” he added.

The caretaker chief minister claimed that all transfers and postings in Punjab government were being done on the direction of the ECP.

Answering a question about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s statements about arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers, Naqvi said he had no intention to arrest anyone. “However, if someone creates a law-and-order situation, the law will take its course without discrimination,” he maintained and added that he did not want to get embroiled in any controversy.

Replying to another question, he said although there were security threats, he had decided not to interfere in the PTI’s daily public gatherings outside Zaman Park near the residence of the party chairman.

“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.

He said the caretaker provincial cabinet would decide how the government would respond when the PTI would launch a movement of courting arrest.

The caretaker CM said planning was under way to provide maximum relief to the citizens through a Ramazan Package during the holy month.

A huge subsidy package was being planned for the purpose, he added.

Answering a question about the incident of lynching of a man in Nankana Sahib over allegations of blasphemy, Naqvi said that although he could not prevent the occurrence, he would try to ensure justice in the case. He said he would do his best to ensure the conclusion of the trial during his term in office, adding that “otherwise. it would be a great regret for me that I could not ensure justice to the victim family”.

When asked about the shortage of medicines, Naqvi said it was the result of delay and restrictions on import of raw material.

He said his government had taken up the matter with the federal authorities to improve the situation.

The caretaker chief minister also announced that the provincial government would roll out a Rs575 billion wheat procurement campaign this year. He said the government will ensure appointment of upright civil servants for the procurement.

“The government has decided to give them some incentives to ensure zero pilferage of public money,” he said.

The wheat support price was also being reviewed and a very good rate would be announced in the coming days, he added.

The caretaker CM said in reply to a question that there was no immediate plan to expand the provincial cabinet and he wanted to keep it as small as possible, but the appointment of a representative from the minority communities might be considered in case of induction of more ministers in future.

Naqvi said the caretaker government could not start any new development project and only the schemes of the previous governments nearing completion would be completed without discrimination.

He said the government was tracing the Afghan nationals who had been staying in the country despite visa expiry.

Replying to a question, he said a basic task of his government was to avert any flour crisis in the province and apprehend the black marketers. The law would take its course against anyone who would violate the rules, he added.

He also said that efforts were under way to provide immediate care to the patients of brain haemorrhage in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2023.