Reshuffling in bureaucracy was made on the direction of EC:Najam Sethi

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Najam Sethi has said that holding of transparent elections and further improving law and order situation is the foremost priority of caretaker government and all out resources are being channelized for this purpose.He was talking to senior columnists, intellectuals and editors at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today.

The Chief Minister said that reshuffling in bureaucracy has been made according to the instructions of Election Commission and a team of such an impartial administration has been constituted as will help ensure holding of transparent elections. He said that provision of security to the leaders of all the political parties is the responsibility of the government. He said that in view of threats to political leaders, security will be provided to them as per instructions of Election Commission and according to rules and regulations.

The Chief Minister said that instructions have been issued to all regional and district police officers to remain in touch with political leaders regarding security. He said that caretaker government is fully prepared for meeting the challenge of security and law and order and whichever humanly possible is being done.

He was talking to senior columnists, intellectuals and editors at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today. Chief Minister Najam Sethi said that sincere efforts have been made for constituting an impartial, hardworking and honest team for holding elections in a transparent and impartial manner so that no one could raise accusing finger to it. He said it is a good omen that no one made any safarish for the posting of officer of his choice. He said that instructions of Election Commission have been implemented in letter and spirit. The Chief Minister said that 20 to 25 percent security of some political personalities has been reduced, however, in view of the threats to political leaders, better security would be ensured to them. He said that security would also be ensured during political public meetings, rallies and gatherings and a peaceful atmosphere would be created during polling so that voters could exercise their right of franchise without any fear.

Najam Sethi said that a coordinated strategy has been evolved for meeting possible outbreak of dengue virus and if dengue virus spreads, the entire nation is ready for its eradication and all arrangements are complete in this regard. He said that measles is also an epidemic and effective measures have been taken for its eradication. He said that special steps have been taken for the treatment of children suffering from measles in the hospitals. Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that there is no pressure of Election Commission or any other on him and his team. He said that caretaker government is discharging its responsibilities according to the constitution.

Replying to another question, Najam Sethi said that caretaker government has evolved a coordinated plan for increasing government resources. He expressed the hope that the coming government through implementing this plan would increase the public resources and the resources generated through it would be spent on the public welfare. He said that caretaker government is compiling a data of officers posted throughout the province which will be published for the people so that they could contact those officers easily for resolution of their problems.

In response to a question, Najam Sethi said that the deadline given for making the machinery and equipment in the hospitals operational is ending today. After that, machinery and medical equipment in the hospitals would be checked, he added. In response to a question about the loadshedding of electricity, the Chief Minister said that people are facing long outages. He said that the law and order situation can be created due to the people coming on roads against loadshedding which can create hindrance in holding of peaceful elections. He disclosed that the matter was discussed with the Prime Minister and expressed the hope that the situation of loadshedding will improve during next five to six days.

Najam Sethi said that caretaker government is taking steps for the betterment of neglected segments of the society and expressed his desire to do something for them. The Chief Minister also sought proposals from the journalists and said that he welcomes positive criticism by the media. However, media should also play its due role for highlighting social problems, he added.