ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Nasirul Mulk on Tuesday assured the Election Commission of Pakistan of his government’s all-out support in holding the general elections scheduled to be held on July 25.

The prime minister extended the assurance during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza who called on him at the Prime Minister Office (PMO).

According to the PMO, matters relating to the elections came under discussion during the meeting.

“The prime minister reiterated that the caretaker government was firmly committed to providing all possible assistance to the Election Commission towards holding free, fair and peaceful elections as per the schedule,” an official press release said.

It was the second meeting of the CEC with the caretaker prime minister in a couple of weeks.

The prime minister has directed the government organisations concerned to assist the ECP in holding the polls. He has also directed the finance ministry to release adequate funds for expenses being borne by the commission on conducting the elections.

The caretaker prime minister also attended a briefing on water resources in which Minister for Water Resources Ali Zafar, Chair­man of the Federal Flood Commission Ahmed Kamal and senior officials were present.

Secretary of Water Resources Shamail Ahmed Khawaja made a presentation on water resources availability, their utilisation and various issues impacting the management of surface and ground water resources.

He briefed the caretaker prime minister on key policy objectives and strategic priorities that had been included in the National Water Policy 2018.

The meeting was informed that the availability of water in the country was gradually improving with the rising of temperature and melting of glacial snow on the mountains.

Mr Mulk appreciated formulation of the first National Water Policy of the country and the setting of strategic priorities for the future.

Underscoring the need for putting in place an efficient water resource management system, he observed that leveraging technology and adoption of efficient means of conservation and utilisation were essential for ensuring water availability to a rapidly increasing population.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2018