Punjab cabinet grief over the death of the Pakistani prisoner in India

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi while presiding over a meeting of the provincial caretaker cabinet here today expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of the Pakistani prisoner in India Sanaullah due to brutal torture and said that Punjab government fully shares the grief of the bereaved family.

He reiterated that all out assistance will be extended to the family of Pakistani prisoner who was killed in India. He said that the failure of Indian government to make foolproof security arrangements for the safety of Pakistani prisoners in the wake of the incident of Sarbajit Singh and thereby providing an opportunity of counterattack is highly deplorable. The Chief Minister informed the cabinet that Punjab government has already announced financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh to the heirs of Sanaullah while his elder son will be provided job and the government will bear the educational expenditure of his younger son.

Addressing the caretaker cabinet Najam Sethi said that the attack on the Pakistani prisoner in Indian jail is the result of criminal negligence and it is regrettable that India did not make foolproof security arrangements for the Pakistani prisoners. He said that Indian authorities should have taken effective security measures for the safety of Pakistani prisoners in the wake of the death of Sarbajit Singh.

He said that killing of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah by torture is highly deplorable and this inhuman and uncivilized act has badly tarnished the image of India at international level. He directed District Coordination Officer Sialkot to make special arrangements for the visitors coming to condole the death of late Sanaullah and personally supervise the funeral and burial arrangements. He directed district administration to remain in constant contact with the family of late Sanaullah and take all possible care of it. The caretaker cabinet in its meeting also reviewed the security measures for general elections, Punjab Freedom of Information Act and Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Ordinance 2013. Provincial Ministers, Advisor on Taxation & Revenue, Chief Secretary, IG Police Punjab and secretaries of the concerned departments were present on the occasion.

Najam Sethi said that holding of peaceful and transparent elections is the national responsibility of the caretaker setup and all out resources are being utilized for this purpose. He directed that security arrangements should be further tightened in the province and foolproof security of political leaders should be ensured. He said that no compromise will be made on law and order and security arrangements should be further improved in view of national and international situation. He said that no effort should be spared in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during general elections. He said that Freedom of Information Act will be enforced in the form of an ordinance to provide citizens access to information.

He directed that Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Ordinance 2013 should be given a final shape as soon as possible for facilitating senior citizens and practicable proposals should be submitted by the committee in the next meeting. Secretary Information Amjad Hussain informed the meeting about Freedom of Information Act while Secretary Social Welfare gave a briefing on Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Ordinance.