Punjab approves Rs4bn for election security

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has approved the allocation of over Rs4 billion for making foolproof arrangements and ensuring security. It has also announced that all political parties and independent candidates will be given a level playing field for their electoral activities.

Pinjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over the 36th Provincial Cabinet meeting on Saturday and said that holding free and fair elections will be ensured under any circumstance.

Under the code of conduct outlined by the election commission, all candidates will be allowed to hold rallies, conduct door-to-door election campaigns, and display banners and posters.

The chief minister said that all political parties will be provided with an equal playing field.

The CM underscored that action will be taken in case of making a speech against the Pakistan Army or institutions.

“Holding free and fair elections is my prime responsibility, which I will duly fulfil. We will fully cooperate with the election commission to ensure elections are conducted in a peaceful and fair environment,” the CM maintained.

Approval was granted during the meeting for the allocation of over Rs4 billion for making foolproof security arrangements. The CM also said that approval was accorded for the allocation of funds worth Rs8 billion for the establishment of the Punjab Cancer Care Hospital at Manawan, Lahore.

Approval was also granted to undertake new measures for the treatment of patients under the Sehat Sahulat Programme.

The CM, during the meeting, immediately stopped the implementation of the proposal to increase lab test fees in big hospitals.

Approval was also granted for the allocation of additional funds for the early completion of the additional work of the Akbar Chowk flyover project.

It was also decided to undertake remodelling of choking points to improve traffic flow on various boulevards and roads in Lahore. The remodelling work on the choking points will be completed at Rs700 million.

The decisions made during the 16th meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee for Finance and Development were endorsed in the cabinet meeting.

Provincial ministers, advisers, chief secretary, IGP, AGP secretaries and senior officials attended the meeting.