LAHORE  -  PM Nasirul Mulk has said the caretaker government is committed to holding transparent and impartial elections.

“I am happy that caretaker government in Punjab is performing its duties in a professional and neutral manner,” the prime minister said while talking to Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari Rivzi at the Governor’s House Thursday.

The PM said: “best arrangements have been made to ensure transparent elections.”

Askari said: “I am personally monitoring the elections arrangements by visiting different cities. I am also conducting visits to improve the law and order situation. The administration and police are totally neutral in Punjab. Arrangements have been made to provide level-playing field to all the political parties and cooperation is being extended to the departments to make the electoral process fully transparent.”

Meanwhile, AJK President Masood Khan met CM Askari at the latter’s office and discussed various matters including historic importance of Youm-e-Ilhaq Kashmir.

Askari said that Indian cross-border firing is highly condemnable. He said that continued silence of the world over atrocities of Indian forces in occupied Kashmir is deplorable. The AJK President said on the occasion that Pakistan has highlighted Kashmir issue at every forum.

Politicians being provided security: Minister

Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Ahmed Waqas Riaz has said that different political leaders have been informed of the threat and the Punjab government is ready to provide them maximum security.

Talking to media here yesterday, Riaz said it was duty of political leaders to restrict their movement and make themselves secure. He said the government had already taken measures in this regard and key leaders are being provided box security. He said that implementation of the election code of conduct is the basic duty of the government and it would be implemented without any discrimination.  Riaz took part in a plantation campaign along with journalists outside Qaddafi Stadium where he planted a sapling. He said that awareness should be created among the masses to plantation for betterment of environment.

Earlier, Riaz attended a ceremony at the Public Art and Literary Society as chief guest. Alhamra Executive Editor Atta Mohammad Khan, Society President Maqbool Chohan, Anwar Rafie and granddaughter of Sufi Tabbassum attended this function. Riaz said that encouragement of such persons relating to art and culture is much important and these activities should go on. He announced Rs1 million donation for the society from the Information and Culture Department.