Rehabilitation work will be completed before completion of tenure:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting to review the progress on the action taken against the persons involved in Badami Bagh incident and rehabilitation of affectees at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Senators Pervaiz Rashid, Kamran Michael, Members Assembly, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, police officials and six representatives of affectees attended the meeting. Secretary C&W informed about the construction of houses of the affectees and police officials about the action taken against the persons involved in Badami Bagh incident.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the barbarism committed against Christian brethren in Badami Bagh incident is highly condemnable. He said that the help and assistance of the affectees of Badami Bagh incident and their rehabilitation is our duty and not a favour. He expressed the hope that the rehabilitation work of affectees will be completed before completion of tenure of the government.

The Chief Minister directed that all persons involved in this tragic incident and those who instigated should be arrested. He said that the accused involved in this incident how influential they are will be taken to task. He said that those who exploited the people will also face punishment. The Chief Minister said that we are working sincerely for the rehabilitation of affectees, therefore, they should also extend cooperation. He stressed upon that the affectees that keeping in view their interest, they should keep away those who are creating hindrances in rehabilitation work. The Chief Minister said that Provincial Minister for Law, Provincial Education Minister, Senator Kamran Michael and concerned members assembly should visit Joseph Colony Badami Bagh tonight and review the rehabilitation work. He said that the obstacles being created in the construction work should be removed jointly with the affectees.

An affectee, Pervez Bhatti said that they are thankful to the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab government for helping us. Other affectees expressing their views, said that they can never forget the cooperation of Chief Minister Punjab in providing cheques of financial assistance and constructing their houses. They said that the administration, police and PML-N workers are fully cooperating with them. Secretary C&W told that construction work of damaged houses is continuing speedily and the rehabilitation work of 92 affected units has been handed over to 21 contractors and is being carried out round the clock. Police officials informed that 25 accused out of 82 nominated in FIR of Badami Bagh incident have been arrested and physical remand was obtained whereas the parade for identifying 22 other nominated accused will be held tomorrow. They said that raids are being conducted for arresting all the accused involved in this incident and instigation and they will be arrested soon.