'Punjab govt to follow ECP orders'.

LAHORE -- The caretaker cabinet of Punjab pledged on Saturday to ensure transparent, fair, independent and peaceful elections.

Presiding over the first provincial cabinet meeting, Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that the basic responsibility of the caretaker government was to hold transparent and fair elections. The government would ensure holding of the general elections in a transparent and fair manner in the light of the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) directions, he added.

He also expressed his desire to undertake public welfare work that could provide relief to the people.

The cabinet members, following the example of the caretaker CM, announced that they would not take salary and use official residences.

The caretaker cabinet approved the allocation of Rs1 billion to provide financial assistance of rs3.5 million each to the families of police martyrs.

According to an official announcement, the families of officials who had laid down their lives during the past one and a half years had not been provided financial assistance.

It was decided that the departmental rules would be eased to induct children of martyrs into the police, including relaxation in height and chest measurements. Monthly financial assistance for the widows of police personnel was enhanced Rs25,000 from Rs2,500.

Then cabinet decided that the inspector general and other senior police officers would hold open kutcheries for promptly redressing public grievances. The caretaker CM called for planning to provide maximum relief to the people during Ramazan. Preparation of the Ramazan package should be started immediately, he added.

He directed all ministers to visit other cities to review availability of subsidised flour in the markets. He ordered an indiscriminate...