LAHORE - Chief Minister Najam Sethi has said caretaker government is committed to holding fair and peaceful general elections.
“Foolproof arrangements have been made,” he said while presiding over a meeting at Chief Minister’s Secretariat Wednesday. Sethi said that video cameras would be used for monitoring sensitive polling stations. He said that information technology would be benefitted from for holding peaceful and transparent elections and the code of conduct evolved by the Election Commission would be implemented at every cost. The chief minister said that control rooms had been set up at district and divisional levels for monitoring the implementation of code of conduct. The meeting was briefed about the arrangements to be made for ensuring coming elections in a transparent manner.
Separately chairing a meeting on law and order, Sethi directed police to serve with dedication. He laid stress on using modern technology for for curbing crime. He directed that persons involved in extortion and kidnapping for ransom, be brought to justice and investigation be carried out on modern lines for curbing such crimes.
The chief minister disclosed that a separate helpline would be established for the information on extortion, kidnapping for ransom and suspected persons so that citizens might provide information to the lawmen without any fear. He directed that setting up of helpline for providing information on extortion, kidnapping for ransom and suspected persons, be considered and a report be submitted to him immediately.
He said police officers, instead of sitting in offices, should go to the field and redressed the grievances of the people as no society could flourish without justice. He said that the complainants coming to police stations, should immediately be dispensed with justice. He said that role of police was of key importance for curbing crime and improving law and order situation and it was because of that fact that Punjab government had provided all out resources to the police.
Sethi said that all possible steps were being taken for further improving law and order situation. He said that improvement of law and order was the top priority for holding transparent and peaceful elections. He vowed that no effort would be spared for ensuring security to political leaders, processions and rallies. He directed that regional and district police officers should remain in touch with political leaders regarding security and law and order. He directed that strict action be taken against those involved in aerial-firing and display of weapons without any discrimination and immediate action be taken against the violators of code of conduct of the Election Commission. The chief minister said that casting of vote in a peaceful atmosphere was the right of voters while caretaker government was fully prepared to meet the challenge of security and law and order.
Inspector General Police, Punjab, gave a briefing on eradication of crime and law and order situation in the province.
Home Minister Tariq Pervaiz, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Secretary Home, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Secretaries of Law, Finance, Information, Additional IGs, CCPO Lahore and concerned officers attended the meeting.