July 21, 2005	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 13, 1426

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RAWALPINDI, July 20: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi on Wednesday said the government would ensure strict adherence to the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission during the local government elections. Talking to reporters after inaugurating Gymkhana Club here, the chief minister said the LB polls were being held on non-party basis.

He dubbed the claims by opposition as ‘baseless propaganda’ that government machinery had been geared up to enable the ruling party candidates win the polls.

He ruled out the possibility of rigging and said these elections would be fair, transparent and impartial and would be seen to be so. He said the Punjab government would extend full cooperation to the election commission in this respect.

In reply to a question about law and order situation, he said no concession whatsoever would be given to saboteurs and those spreading hatred and fanning sectarianism. They will be dealt with an iron hand, he said, adding that the Punjab government would fulfil all its responsibilities in this regard.

Earlier, speaking at the function, the chief minister said the Punjab government had launched a scheme in which all retired government employees would be provided housing facilities. According to the housing scheme, houses would be built and provided to all retired workers, from scale-1 to 22. Initially, as many as one million people have shown willingness to avail of this opportunity.

In Rawalpindi district, a site at Rakh Dhamiyal has been specified for this purpose, he said. He also announced Rs100 million for the Gymkhana club and said the property of old commissioner house would be used and the club would also be furnished with all facilities like the Gymkhana Club Lahore.

The chief minister said all the big cities like Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore and others had Gymkhana clubs and other recreational facilities. Non-existence of such get-together facilities in Rawalpindi was a big void, which has been filled today, he said. Mr Pervez Illahi said on the occasion of Committee Chowk underpass construction, he had promised for the establishment of such a Gym and the promise stood fulfilled today.

The old commissioner house is a historical building, which would be converted into Gymkhana Club.

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