LAHORE - Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari has said the caretaker government has fulfilled the promise of free and fair elections in a peaceful manner.

Millions of people used their right of franchise in a peaceful manner and expressed their satisfaction with foolproof arrangements for the elections, Askari said in a statement issued here yesterday.

He congratulated the administration and police for making best arrangement for transparent and peaceful elections. He praised the Pakistan Army and the Rangers for extending full cooperation to the Punjab government for making effective security arrangements for the election day.

“I am thankful to the Pakistan Army and the Rangers who helped maintain law and order, along with the Punjab government, police and other law enforcement agencies for execution of general elections,” he said.

“No doubt, it was a collective duty, which has been performed in a proper manner. Performance of the Pakistan Army, Rangers, police, administration and other relevant agencies remained up to the mark,” he said.

He said the law and order situation remained under control due to effective measures taken by the Punjab government.

He said that people showed discipline on the polling day and they deserve congratulations for that. He said the caretaker Punjab government provided full opportunities to voters to use their democratic right independently and it proved its neutrality with performance.

He said the provincial administration, police, Pakistan Army, Rangers and other agencies rendered services for peaceful elections. He said that line departments exhibited their best performance for peaceful elections. He said that foolproof security arrangements were made for maintenance of law and order during the elections.

Askari said the administration in Punjab provided every possible facility to voters to use their right of franchise and security agencies performed their duties in a very professional manner. “We pay a tribute to those who have extended cooperation in the arrangements for transparent and peaceful elections and their role in neutral election will always be remembered. People in the Punjab province have given a proof of being conscientious human beings through peaceful elections and proved that they have great attachment with democracy. With the grace of Allah Almighty and due to the collective efforts, we have succeeded in holding peaceful and transparent elections,” concluded the chief minister.

Separately, Askari expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of five army soldiers in an accident in Battagram and extended sympathies to the bereaved families. “We pay tributes to the army soldiers who have embraced martyrdom while performing their duties and pray to Allah Almighty to give solace to the bereaved families to bear the loss with equanimity,” concluded the Chief Minister.