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LAHORE, Aug 4: Law Minister Basharat Raja told on Thursday the Punjab IGP to ensure implementation of the code of conduct given by the Election Commission for the forthcoming local polls.
He gave the direction during a meeting held to review law and order in the province, which was also attended by home and law secretaries, the advocate-general, the additional IG (special branch), Parliamentary Secretary Home Bushra Nawaz Gardezi and others.
The minister asked the officials to immediately ensure removal of illegal walk chalkings and hoardings by the candidates and take stern notice of the code of conduct violations.
He said the district administrations in the province must strictly implement the ban on public meetings and processions. It must also ensure holding of the corner meetings by the candidates in accordance with the code of conduct.
The minister also asked the administration to pay special attention to the ‘sensitive’ polling stations having possibility of violence. The provincial government would maintain law and order during the local elections at any cost, showing no leniency to anyone in this regard, he added.
RECEPTION FOR SINDHI JOURNALISTS: Meanwhile, speaking to a delegation of Sindhi journalists at a reception here, the law minister said the exchange of inter-provincial delegations would promote brotherhood and national integrity, besides evolving consensus on national issues.
He said the province had introduced reforms in education, health, agriculture and all other important sectors under the leadership of Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. A mega development programme had been launched in the province under which communication, sewerage, water supply and other welfare- oriented schemes were being implemented.
The minister said the government was developing a housing society for Lahore journalists and it had transferred power to the people through the implementation of the local government system.
Sindh Media Forum Secretary-General Dr Jabbar Khattak said the delegation had brought the message of love of Sindhis for their Punjabi brethren.
SMF acting president Younas Mehr appreciated the Punjab government’s development strategy and said Sindh too needed to follow the example. He invited Punjab journalists to Sindh.
The law minister later gave gifts to the members of the delegation.
The reception was arranged by the chief minister but he could not attend it due to his Islamabad visit.
