Sethi assures political leadership for fair and free polls

Lahore: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said that he has made a programme of consultation with political leaders for the holding of transparent elections and a neutral administration. He said for this purpose he met the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Q Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan, President Pakistan Muslim League-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and former Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif today while he will hold a meeting with Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan tomorrow. He said the purpose of his meetings with the political leaders is to seek their views about honest, hard working and the best officers.

He said that it is a good omen that no political leader has named any officer with whom he has any personal relation and he is happy that his job has become easier. He said that decision regarding a permanent Inspector General Police in Punjab is also being made. Najam Sethi said that he has made consultation with Chief Election Commissioner on telephone regarding changes in bureaucracy and this process will be completed within a week.

He expressed these views after meeting with the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami in Mansoora today. Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan, Farid Ahmed Paracha and other leaders were also present on the occasion. Caretaker Chief Minister said that the caretaker cabinet will be formed within two to three days and will comprise five to six ministers while a few more ministers will be added if required. He said that the members of caretaker cabinet will not be of any political party. He said that holding of free, fair and transparent elections is the mandate of caretaker setup and this national responsibility will be discharged as a sacred obligation. He said that the positive proposals have been put forward in the meetings with the political leaders and the leaders of all political parties have stressed the need for posting of honest, hardworking and neutral administration and creating a favourable atmosphere for the conduct of elections so that the voters could exercise their right of franchise freely. He said that constitution and law will be fully upheld in the holding of peaceful and transparent elections. He further said that clean, competent and hardworking officers will be brought forward in the provincial administration.

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan welcomed the appointment of Najam Sethi as Caretaker Chief Minister and assured his full cooperation. He said that Najam Sethi is a competent person and it is hoped he will take effective steps for ensuring free and fair election. He said that the appointment of Najam Sethi as caretaker chief minister is very important. He said that people have confidence in Najam Sethi who is an able and hardworking person and will discharge his responsibilities efficiently.

Earlier, Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi had a meeting with Muslim League-Q leaders, Ch. Shujaat Husain, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi and Ch. Moonis Elahi in Gulberg and discussed matters regarding holding of elections in a transparent manner. Later, the caretaker Chief Minister went to the residence of former Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in Model Town where he met President Pakistan Muslim League-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and discussed transparent conduct of election.