LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi presided over separate meetings here on Saturday to review budget-related matters and security issues across the province.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr Rizvi said that 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.
Chief Secretary Captain (R) Zahid Saeed, Planning and Development Chairman Jehanzeb Khan, Finance Secretary Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh, Secretary to CM Imdadullah Bosal, Special Finance Secretary Sardar Saifullah Dogar, Zaid Bin Masood and other officials were present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, he presided over another meeting in the CM Office to review the law and order situation. Dr Rizvi was briefed about the measures taken to maintain the security arrangements.
Speaking on the occasion, he said all-out measures should be taken to hold elections in a peaceful environment. He said the interim government will utilise its resources and energies for the holding of fair, free and transparent elections. “We will discharge our duty to hold peaceful and transparent elections at any cost,” he added.
The interim chief minister said that political activities will increase after Eid and responsibilities of police and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order will also increase. He said close coordination should be made with all political parties for the security of political leaders.
Dr Rizvi said all-out efforts should be made to maintain law and order situation during Chand Raat, Eid, and holidays. The measures to maintain the peaceful environment during Eid holidays were also discussed.
The report on the torture of journalist Asad Kharal was also presented to the interim chief minister. Chief secretary, additional chief home secretary, IGP, and senior officers of civil and military institutions attended the meeting.
