LAHORE - Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi has directed the finance department to strictly maintain transparency in the financial affairs and that non-development expenditure should reduced and steps be taken to increase the revenue.
The Chief Minister passed this direction while presiding over a meeting held to review budget matters.
Addressing the meeting, he said transparency should be ensured in financial affairs, undeveloped expenditures should be reduced and the revenue should be increased. He said projects of public welfare and development should be given top priority. The interim chief minister was given a briefing on the budget for the new financial year and other financial matters.
Separately, he visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, where he told the media that free and fair election in the province was his paramount responsibility. “Our performance will restore confidence of political parties and doubts will be removed. We will work in neutral status within legal limits and will provide equal opportunities and facilities to all political parties. “
To a question, he said our cabinet will be small and no political persons will be included in it. The interim cabinet will consist of professionals and experts. About reshuffle in bureaucracy, he said administrative changes are made whenever a new government takes over.
“I neither had any political agenda in past nor will have in future. Establishing balance in the job of the interim government and we will make every effort to maintain this balance.”
To another question, he said the role of district administration is very vital in the conduct of elections and it is responsibility of the district administration to provide equal opportunities to all political parties. In reply to a question about aliens, the interim chief minister said this is a political statement and political parties send their message to the people to get votes. Every political party has narrative and this is also part of this narrative. To yet another question, he said he has not given any statements about delay in elections. One of my articles has been published which is quoted. I have authored many books and I have criticised every government and given my point of view from the time I have started writing.
Replying to media men questions, the Interim CM Hasan Askari Rizvi said the basic responsibility of the interim government is to ensure the holding of fair, free and transparent elections. The framework for this purpose will be given by the Election Commission and the interim government implements this framework and provides facilities for the elections. The interim government will provide equal opportunities to all political parties keeping in view the framework given by the Election Commission. The second basic responsibility of the interim government is the maintaining of law and order and provision of peaceful environment for voters. He said elections strengthen democracy and the interim government provides cooperation for the election process. He said the interim government has the limited time and scope, and in these limits we will avail if we got chance for the betterment of the people.
Also, the caretaker CM chaired over a meeting in the CM Office to review the law and order situation. He was briefed about the measures taken for the maintaining of law and order. Addressing the meeting, he said all-out measures should be taken to hold elections in a peaceful environment. He said the interim government will utilized its resources and energies for the holding of fair, free and transparent elections.
Later, the CM presided over a meeting in the Chief Minister Office in which he was briefed about the administrative structure and affairs.
Addressing the meeting, Hasan Askari Rizvi said we will discharge our assigned duty within framework and will work within decided framework. He said his mandate is to hold transparent, fair and free elections and neutral administration is needed for this purpose. The chief secretary briefed the interim chief minister about administrative affairs and structure. The chief secretary, additional chief secretary, secretary law and secretaries of concerning departments also attended the meeting.