Apex Committee reviews Punjab security, law and order situation

LAHORE, Sep 22 (APP):The provincial Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday reviewed the overall law and order situation and security arrangements in the province and expressed satisfaction over coordination among security agencies.

The meeting was informed about measures being taken to protect lives and property, while the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub at the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC) was termed an important step towards timely information sharing and threat assessment. PIFTAC and the AI Hub were launched earlier this month to strengthen coordination among security agencies.

The chief minister welcomed the successes of ongoing operations against terrorists and appreciated the professional capabilities of the Pakistan Army. The meeting also paid tribute to Captain Abu Zarr Farooq, Lt Shiras Babar and other personnel martyred during Operation Zarb-i-Labbaik and offered Fateha for the departed souls.

The Lahore Corps Commander, who attended the meeting, appreciated the performance of relevant institutions and termed it satisfactory.

The committee was informed that 93 projects were being initiated in riverine areas to improve social infrastructure. Smart police stations and police check posts would also be established there, besides construction of a steel bridge at a cost of Rs620 million. Skill-development programmes would also be launched to create employment opportunities for residents of the riverine belt.

The meeting was further informed that measures were being taken to ensure the exit of illegally residing foreign nationals from Punjab.

Speaking at the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz said all institutions in Punjab were working in coordination and stressed that maintaining law and order required putting personal interests aside. She said a decline in street crime had improved the public’s sense of security and made it clear that there was no room for hooliganism, land grabbing or mafias in Punjab. She said 718 police personnel had been dismissed from service for involvement in corruption, adding that strict action would continue against elements undermining public trust in law-enforcement institutions.

The chief minister praised institutions working for peace in the riverine areas and said a development package of more than Rs30 billion was being implemented there for health, education and security. She also welcomed the organisation of a major cricket tournament in the area, saying participation by the public and officials was encouraging.

She said continued monitoring and vigilance were being maintained in the riverine belt, while the overall law and order situation in Punjab remained encouraging despite ongoing operations.

The chief minister said proactive policing had contributed to a continued decline in crime and that the police were being provided with necessary resources and technology. Police personnel were being equipped with body-worn cameras, while the Safe City system had been expanded across Punjab. She directed that there should be no gap in security arrangements and stressed the need for preventive measures. Despite various challenges, she said, all possible steps were being taken to protect the public.

CM Maryam Nawaz said Punjab and its people paid tribute to the armed forces and appreciated the leadership of the Field Marshal. She said all institutions were working together against terrorism and that Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos had enhanced Pakistan’s image internationally.

She added that the regional situation had also increased the need to protect people from inflation and economic difficulties, saying the government was focusing on this aspect alongside security measures.