Caretaker govt vigilant to provide ‘level playing field’ to all parties: Askari

LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Hasan Askari Rizvi has said the interim government was vigilant to deliver its national responsibility for free and fair elections and would provide equal opportunities to all political parties.

He said the administration would carry out its duty impartiality across the province and would perform within the framework of Election Commission. He said that peace and security were mandatory for transparent and fair elections which would strengthen democracy and national institutions.

The interim government will perform its duties for fixed period and limited mandate, he added.

He said that during elections, balance between political parties would be maintained and would fulfill the responsibility to provide a “Level Playing Field”.

Professor Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi on June 8 took oath as the Punjab caretaker chief minister in a ceremony held in Lahore. Governor Punjab Rafique Rajwana administered oath to Dr Askari, whose name for the provincial caretaker role was finalised by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Hassan Askari Rizvi is a political scientist who wrote over civil-military relations in Pakistan and is noted for his work in comparative politics, nuclear weapons, and the country’s domestic policy.

He is professor emeritus of political science at the Punjab University, Lahore as well as a media personality regularly appearing in various television channels.