PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah said on Thursday government would implement in letter and spirit the directives of Election Commission of Pakistan and apex court with regard to conduct of general polls.

Talking to journalists during his visit to China Window Cultural Centre here, he said that the basic job of caretaker government was to hold free and fair elections. He said that government would ensure all measures for holding general elections in a peaceful manner and no stone would be left unturned to improve security situation in the province.

Mr Shah said that improving law and order in the province was one of top priorities of government. He said that security forces, police and other law enforcement agencies were doing well to achieve the desired results.

“Very soon, Khushal Pakhtunkhwa Programme will be launched featuring law and order and durable peace as the foremost priority,” he said. He added that government would make all possible efforts to ensure lasting peace and attract foreign investment.

Terms improving law and order in province one of top priorities

The chief minister said that concrete measures were being taken to ensure security of development projects being carried out under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that special security unit had been set up for security of projects being executed by international partners.

He said that concerted efforts were being made to resolve financial issues of the province on sustainable basis. He said that financial matters related to federation had already been taken up with prime minister.

The chief minister said that the whole country was going through financial crunch that needed joint efforts to overcome. He said that youth of the province would be equipped as per market demands by imparting technical skills to them. Under Khushal Pakhtunkhwa Programme, annually 500,000 skilled persons would be sent to foreign countries, he added.

Mr Shah said that Pakistan and China enjoyed cordial relations. He said that establishment of China Window in Peshawar was praiseworthy effort for further strengthening the relations between both the countries.

Earlier, the chief minister visited various galleries of China Window and took interest in cultural objects displayed there. He was accompanied by caretaker ministers Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, Dr Aamir Abdullah and Dr Najeeb.

Separately, addressing a seminar jointly organised by National Accountability Bureau and anti-corruption establishment in Nishtar Hall, he said that corruption was a social evil that ate away at any nation or society like a termite.

He said that corruption was always considered a roadblock to national progress and development. He said that government was not only committed to promoting transparency and eradicating corruption but was also taking curative measures to that effect.

“Corruption misallocates resources, stifles economic growth, paves the way for black money and perpetuates a cycle of inequality that compromises the potential of our nation,” he said.

The chief minister appreciated the efforts of NAB and anti-corruption establishment and assured them of government’s support.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2023