LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari has withdrawn education departments from Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq.

Mr Mushtaq was given charge of the higher education, school education, special education and non-formal basic education through a notification a day before Eid on June 15. But the notification has been withdrawn as Dr Askari has decided to keep the education portfolio with himself.

Mr Mushtaq will not hold the portfolio of Human Rights & Minority Affairs, Population Welfare Department, Social Welfare Department and Baitul Maal, says a notification issued on Tuesday.

According to the notification of the Services & General Administration Department (Cabinet Wing), Provincial Minister for Industry, Trade & Investment and Mines & Mineral Development Anjum Nisar was given additional charge of Zakat & Ushr Department.

Minister for Energy, Local Government & Urban Development and Irrigation Departments Zafar Mehmood has been given the additional charge of Disaster Management; Minister for Information Ahmad Waqas Riaz has been delegated the additional charge of Forests, Wildlife & Fisheries Department. Home Minister Shaukat Mehmood has been assigned additional charge of Sports and Public Prosecution departments.

Also, Dr Askari held a meeting with Chief Secretary Akbar Durani and Inspector General Kalim Imam.

He said that holding of transparent elections would be ensured at every cost and voters would be provided a peaceful environment to express their right to the franchise.

He said the district administration would play a neutral role in Punjab and all the political parties would be provided equal opportunities in general elections.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2018