ISLAMABAD, July 4: President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday presided over a high-level meeting to discuss the worsening flood situation in various parts of the country and measures taken to cope with the situation. The meeting also discussed the ensuing local body polls with special emphasis on taking additional security measures during the election campaign. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, four provincial governors, chief ministers of the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan and senior officials attended the meeting which was held at the president’s camp office in Rawalpindi.

The president and the prime minister directed the provincial governments to ensure proper security during the local body polls and stressed that the elections must be held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Underlining the importance of the local government system, the president said it was aimed at empowering the masses. He asked the administrators appointed at the district level to ensure good governance and run the system smoothly till the elections. He said the administrators being custodians of the system during the transitional phase must set good examples by ensuring efficient, honest and smooth functioning of the district governments.

Prime Minister Aziz said that instructions had been issued to the provincial governments to ensure that the people elected their representatives in a free, fair and transparent manner. He reiterated the government’s resolve to provide level playing field to all candidates.

About the flood situation, the prime minister said he had visited some affected areas in the NWFP and announced Rs100 million humanitarian assistance for flood victims.

NWFP Governor Khalilur Rahman briefed the meeting on losses and displacements caused by the flood and gave details of relief measures being taken. He was appreciative of the timely assistance provided by the Pakistan army which helped rescuing a large number of marooned people.

The meeting also reviewed measures taken by the government to ensure availability of essential items of daily use at affordable prices. The meeting praised the decision to provide flour and sugar at reduced rates through Utility Stores.

It was emphasized that provincial governments must keep a close watch on prices of essential commodities, ensure their availability at reasonable prices and take steps to discourage hoarding.