RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani on Tuesday asked the administrations of the four districts of the Rawalpindi Division - Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum - to pay attention to the anti-dengue and anti-polio campaigns and flood management measures in the monsoon season.

“While helping the Election Commission of Pakistan in conducting the general elections on July 25, the district administrations should not leave their primary duties for anti-dengue and anti-polio campaigns and measures to avoid floods in their respective areas,” Mr Durrani said during a meeting in the Commissioner Office.

During his visit to Rawalpindi, the chief secretary reviewed arrangements for the elections and the law and order situation in the four districts. Commissioner retired Capt Saif Anjum, Deputy Commissioner Dr Umer Jehangir, Additional Commissioner Tariq Islam and other senior officials were also present. The deputy commissioners of Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum participated in the meeting via a video link.

Says primary duties should not be set aside during elections

The four deputy commissioners gave briefings to the chief secretary about the monitoring of the elections and said no major violations had occurred in their districts, except a few such as the display of arms in Chakwal.

The meeting was informed that the local police had confiscated the arms and warned candidates to not display arms and ammunition during election campaigns.

They claimed candidates in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas violated the code of conduct regarding banners but no other major violation was observed.

The chief secretary directed the district administrations to immediately inform the election commission about the violations if candidates repeat them so necessary action can be taken against them.

He said the district administration had to help the election commission conduct polls in a transparent manner without any hurdles.

He said district administrations should be prepared for managing flood like situations on a priority basis and that the caretaker government will not tolerate negligence in this regard.

He said the anti-polio and anti-dengue campaign should be conducted as per routine as well.

The meeting was informed that district administrations had provided returning officers and other polling and transport arrangements have also been made for law enforcement personnel.

CCTV cameras are being installed and hand-held cameras will also be used during elections.

The meeting was told that patients have come to hospitals with dengue and are being treated. The health department has completed a polio campaign last week and work in the new campaign is ongoing, the meeting was told and that concerned departments are ready to tackle floods.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2018