Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting at Chief Minister's Secretariat Wednesday to review law and order situation in the province. Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Advisor Jehanzeb Burki, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, Secretary Auqaf and senior officers concerned were present.
The meeting took a number of decisions regarding maintenance of law and order while different aspects of Sakhi Sarwar tragedy in DG Khan and the pace of investigation was also considered in detail. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is passing through the most critical phase of its history and is fighting for its survival.
He said that anti-Pakistan forces are bent upon destabilising and damaging the country and the time has come to perceive the sensitive nature of the situation and promote national unity for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemies. He said that there is a need to evolve a collective strategy for security in the interest of the survival of the country and all institutions should join hands for this purpose.
He said that terrorism has pushed the economy of the country to the verge of disaster and investors are reluctant to invest in Pakistan. He said that collective efforts are required to root out the menace of terrorism in the interest of survival of the country.
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif further said that nothing could be more important in the present situation than maintenance of law and order and Punjab government is utilising all available resources for this purpose. He directed to further improve intelligence system for curbing terrorism and said that a joint information system should be adopted for exchange of information among the law-enforcing agencies.
He also issued instructions for further improving security arrangements at shrines and deputing such a force at these places as has been trained on the pattern of Elite Force. He directed Secretary Auqaf to present a comprehensive security plan for shrines and assured that government will provide resources for its implementation. He further directed that an effective system should be devised at the police station level throughout the province for the complete scrutiny of hotels, inns and rented houses and its strict implementation should be ensured.
He directed that all decisions regarding law and order should be implemented in letter and spirit and action should be taken against those showing negligence or laxity in this regard. He said that promotion of tolerance and restraint in the society is of utmost importance.
Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa and Inspector General Police Javed Iqbal informed the meeting about the measures taken for the maintenance of law and order in the province and security at shrines. The meeting was informed that the installation process of CCTV cameras at 15 major shrines of the province has been completed while private security guards have also been deputed. He said that security arrangements are also being made at the other shrines on the same security model. Inspector General Police informed the meeting about various aspects of Sakhi Sarwar tragedy and the pace of investigation in this regard.