21 February 2004	Saturday	29 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 20: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali directed the Punjab government on Friday to make foolproof arrangements to ensure law and order and peace during Muharram.

He was presiding over a meeting here attended by Governor Khalid Maqbool and Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi. Mr Jamali said the government would not tolerate any negligence regarding maintenance law and order.

He said all provinces, including the Punjab, should take steps to thwart designs of the anti-state elements to disrupt peace, both in the rural and urban areas during Muharram.

Premier Jamali said the government would soon announce the National Financial Award under which all provinces would be given funds for development projects in line with their due share.

He said democracy was strengthening and taking roots in the country and all the democratic institutions were performing their responsibilities. The National Assembly was doing legislation work and had adopted many bills, including the 17th Amendment on the Legal Framework Order, he added.

He said it was the responsibility of the provincial governments to ensure basic facilities, like health and education, at the doorsteps of the common man. Mr Jamali was all praise for Mr Elahi for efforts he was making in the field of education and said other provinces should follow the Punjab to increase literacy.

Mr Elahi apprised the prime minister of the pace of work on development projects in the province. He said it was for the first time that funds were being allocated to the elected representatives for development projects in their respective areas in every budget which was specially benefiting the less-developed areas.

Later, the chief minister arranged a reception in the honour of Mr Jamali which was attended by the governor, Punjab Assembly Speaker Afzal Sahi, MPAs and elite of the city. -APP