Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi chaired a high-level meeting, here on Thursday and reviewed matters concerning provision of facilities at polling stations to be set up in public schools for upcoming general elections and other arrangements.
Addressing the meeting, he said that fundamental responsibility of the caretaker set-up is to hold free, fair and transparent elections. "We have to fulfil our national obligation without any discrimination while the long-term planning would be the job of the next elected government," he said.
He said the nations that had provided abundant resources for health and education sectors have excelled. He said that missing facilities will be provided as soon as possible in schools where polling stations will be set up. "Provision of missing facilities within the stipulated period is our responsibility and it is also very important for the holding of free and fair elections," he said. He directed that report should be presented by completing the necessary infrastructure of polling stations in the schools.
Dr Rizvi also directed to immediately release the non-salary budget of schools education department and said that release of funds should be ensured at the earliest. He said that non-salary budget should also be released for salaries of part-time teachers working in double-shift schools. He said that salaries should be given to the teachers well in time and no delay should ever occur in this regard.
He said that practical provision of facilities at polling stations to be set up in schools for general elections should be completed well in time at every cost. Necessary facilities for upcoming elections planned on July 25 this year should be ensured within the given framework, he added.
He maintained that civil servants should adopt positive approach and professional thinking and instead of aligning with any party, they should be loyal to the state. Provision of best facilities to the people is the responsibility of every government, he added. He said that polling staff will have to perform their duties in a professional and impartial manner during the polling process and no complaint of any sort of political interference should ever arise. The holding of free, fair and transparent elections will be ensured at every cost, concluded the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Secretary Schools Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik gave a briefing regarding establishment of polling stations and posting of staff for the elections.
Provincial Caretaker Minister for Finance & Law Zia Haider Rizvi, Chairman P&D, Secretaries of Schools, Local Government and Finance departments and others attended the meeting.
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