LAHORE, Oct 7: The Punjab cabinet on Sunday congratulated President Gen Pervez Musharraf on his re-election and approved two draft laws; one aiming at restructuring marketing system and the other to protect historical places in the province.

The cabinet, which met under Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, also approved a plan to launch a new satellite-based call service for seeking help in cases of crime or accidents on highways.

According to official sources, the draft law relating to the marketing system was aimed at eliminating the exploitative role of middlemen and corruption so as to ensure stability of prices of agriculture produce and reasonable payment to growers.

The sources said the draft law on the protection of historical places would enable the provincial government to establish an authority for the purpose under the chief minister. The body, they said, would help restore historical places like the Walled City of Lahore and empower the government to remove encroachments and provide better services to the visitors.

The new call service to be codenamed 1124 will be launched this month. It will be toll free and linked to the satellite hub, conveying the callers’ messages to the patrolling posts and police stations concerned within two minutes of an incident.

Earlier, the cabinet expressed its satisfaction over what it deemed a peaceful conduct of presidential election all over the country. It attributed victory of the president to what it called his love for the country and people.

The cabinet said the entire nation and the world recognised the president’s struggle for the promotion of democracy and economic development of the country.

The chief minister appreciated the cabinet members and his party’s MPAs for fully participating in the presidential election and ensuring the victory for Gen Musharraf.

The cabinet praised the traders for rejecting the APDM call for strike on Saturday. Their response indicated that no one was ready to support the defeated political parties, and the traders actually wanted prosperity and better business, and no strikes, it observed.

The chief minister said with the victory of Gen Musharraf the country would be further strengthened politically and economically, and it would help progressive forces in confidently serving the people.

He said the people had rejected the `anti-Pakistan and anti-democracy’ elements by ignoring their strike call.

The chief minister said the PML would enjoy full support of people in the next general elections.

He praised Punjab police for what he said controlling crime, sectarianism and terrorism and `effectively’ handling important events like the toures of the chief justice of Pakistan and the presidential election on Saturday.

Chief Secretary Salman Siddique, P&D Chairman Suleman Ghani and IG Ahmad Nasim also attended the meeting.