Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Syed Mohsin Naqvi and members of his cabinet visited popular Yaqoo Hotel at Mozang in Lahore late Friday night and had a tea there. The chief minister mingled with special persons sitting at the hotel who were ecstatic to find him in their midst. They praised him in their sign language, and said, ‘We love you’ to him, also in sign language. The CM responded to their goodwill also in sign language. CM visits Lahore Zoo The chief minister, accompanied by his cabinet members, also visited the Lahore Zoo late Friday night and reviewed the upgradation work underway there. He went to the parking area and watched the cages of beers, monkeys and other animals. Secretary wildlife briefed him and his cabinet members about the progress made on the upgradation so far. Later talking to the media, he said he had been visiting different projects’ sites one after the other. “Extreme cold is creating hindrances in our way as masons are not able to work round the clock. Consequently, the government is facing problems in ensuring timely completion of Bund Road and SL-III projects,” he informed. The CM went on to add that it was his and members of his team’s endeavor to make possible, what was impossible.

“I hope that every project, whose completion was considered impossible, will now be completed before we leave the office.” The chief minister said he wanted to make it clear that the general elections would be held on February 8. “There should be no obstacle in the way of any candidate busy in the election campaign because we have to ensure free and fair elections,” he said, adding, “The government does not want its reputation to be blemished by not ensuring free and transparent polls. We are neutrals, and we are not siding with any party.” The CM informed that he had given instructions to the commissioners and RPOs that there should be no complaint from any candidate that he was facing difficulties in electioneering. “We will ensure a level playing field for all political parties,” he vowed. The chief minister informed that the Punjab government would also set up a ‘Complaint Cell’. In this regard, he added, there were serious instructions from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“If any official is found negligent in the performance of his duties, not only will he be sacked, but disciplinary action will also be taken against him after the elections.” Sharing his one-year experience as a chief minister with the media, he said he found out that the impression that bureaucracy did not work was completely false. “Even I thought that bureaucrats do not work. But I was proven wrong. If I do extra work, bureaucrats work double,” he said, and added that the provincial government was taking steps to resolve the issue of accommodation of government officers, including policemen. The CM said that the first phase of upgradation of hospitals was complete, while the next phase would be completed by the elected government. “We are bringing 300 animals to the Lahore Zoo and Safari Zoo,” he informed.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)