LAHORE, Dec 2: All ordinances passed by the outgoing provincial cabinet are valid under the Legal Framework Order and need no ratification by the Punjab Assembly, says Governor Khalid Mahmood.

Talking to newsmen on Monday at an Iftar he hosted for the Ulema of the various schools of thought, the governor said a ‘special clause’ in the LFO had already given indemnity to all the ordinances that had been passed by his cabinet, including the police ordinance.

However, the governor said all those ordinances which had not been approved by the cabinet could be put up before the assembly for discussion and debate.

Khalid Maqbool clarified that under the police ordinance, the Inspector-General, Police, had been empowered to promote officers up to Grade-17 while those above this grade would be promoted through the normal channel.

The governor said his workload had eased since the induction of the newly-elected government headed by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

“However, I will continue to focus on social welfare projects,” he said, adding that he would now have some time to devote to writing as well.

Earlier, the governor praised the support and the co-operation extended by the Ulema in the maintenance of religious harmony in the province.

The Ulema congratulated the governor for the smooth transition of power to the elected civilian leadership. The governor urged them to strengthen the hands of the new leadership so that it could focus all its attention on the development and prosperity of the province.

Former provincial Auqaf Minister Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Qadri, ex-advisor on religious affairs Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Secretary, Auqaf, Shafqat Hussain Bokhari were also present on the occasion.

PRAYERS: The governor offered Taraveeh prayers at the Badshahi Mosque here Monday evening.