Punjab Cabinet approves training programme of 30 thousand police officers to counter terrorism

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Provincial Cabinet here today which gave approval to a comprehensive programme for the training of 30 thousand police officers and Jawans on modern lines as well as decided to strictly implement the ban on display of firearms in the province.

The Chief Minister directed that effective measures be taken against illegal weapons and the cabinet committee should submit final recommendations for a vigorous crackdown against illicit weapons in the province. The cabinet also approved a unanimous resolution expressing gratitude to Chinese leadership over the historic and successful visit of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to China. It was observed in the resolution that the historic package of investment by China for Pakistan is reflective of the confidence of Chinese leadership in Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab cabinet expresses its gratitude to Chinese government and the people for their complete trust in the leadership of Pakistan and Punjab.

Provincial Ministers, Special Assistants, Advisors, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police and secretaries of the concerned departments were present.

Addressing the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that nothing could be more important than maintenance of law and order and in view of the present situation, every effort should be made to ensure safety of life and property of the citizens. He said that Pakistan is passing through a critical phase and there is a need to promote tolerance, restraint, brotherhood and a spirit of sacrifice. He said that whole nation will have to unite in the interest of survival of the country.

The Chief Minister directed police and law enforcement agencies to make foolproof security arrangements in the province. He directed that a comprehensive planning be made for curbing mobile SMSs based on religious hatred while intelligence sharing system should also be improved. He directed that the ban on wall- chalking and misuse of loudspeakers be strictly enforced. He said that the programme of training of police force on modern lines will be carried out expeditiously and modern training will be arranged for 30 thousand police officers and jawans under this phased programme.

He further said that the design of integrated command and control centre has been prepared and funds of Rs.25 crore have been released for the centre. The Chief Minister directed that recommendations regarding computerization of police stations for their capacity-building be given a final shape at the earliest.

Referring to performance and sacrifices of police and security institutions for the elimination of terrorism, Shahbaz Sharif said that the blood of martyrs will not go waste. He said that army, police and common citizens have made supreme sacrifices for the country. He said that eradication of extremism and sectarianism which have shaken the foundations of the country, is of vital importance. He said that police force should utilize all its energies for rooting out criminals and anti-social elements from the society.

Referring to his successful visit to China, the Chief Minister informed the cabinet that love, sincerity and hospitality shown by Chinese leadership during the visit is unparalleled in history. He said that the recent visit to China was the most important and encouraging experience of his entire political career during which the Chinese leadership expressing complete confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif announced a massive package of investment of 30 billion dollars which is a living proof of the unswerving friendship of China with Pakistan.

He said that under this big package, energy projects of 20 thousand megawatt will be set up in the country and he believes that it is the most important gift of the Chinese leadership for Pakistan in the current circumstances. He said that the recent visit to China has also proved that Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel. He said that Chinese cooperation will help in overcoming energy crisis in the country including Punjab.

He said that besides energy sector, China has also expressed willingness for investment in transport sector and given approval to 1.7 billion dollars for Orange Line in Lahore. He said that his visit to China in the company of President Mamnoon Hussain has been highly successful. He said that China has proved to be a sincere friend of Pakistan and now it is important that full benefit should be taken from the Chinese offer and load-shedding and darkness be turned into light and brightness by working day and night. He said that history has given a big opportunity to Pakistan and it is time to change the course of history and put an end to 68 years’ deprivations.

He said that there is a need for collective efforts to overcome energy crisis. He said that Pakistani leadership will come up the expectations of Chinese government and the people as well as Pakistani nation and will set new examples of honesty, hard work and commitment. He said that destiny of Pakistani nation will be changed through continuous efforts.

The Punjab cabinet on this occasion gave unanimous approval to a resolution of expression of gratitude. The Cabinet expressed its profound appreciation to the people and government of China and felicitated the President and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the historic economic package offered by the brotherly country of China, during the recent visit by President of Pakistan and Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. The Cabinet observed that this package of economic felicitation offered by China was made possible due to the hard work, good governance and transparency of the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The cabinet expressed its complete confidence that this special package will be materialized to the fullest and resolved that no stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of development for the people of Pakistan and the province.

The cabinet was given a detailed briefing by Inspector General Police and Secretary Home on law and order situation and Additional Chief Secretary Energy on the visit to China.

Earlier, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting to review law and order situation in the province. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minster said that protection of life and property of citizens is the prime responsibility of the government. He said that police should perform its duty with efficiency and commitment as no negligence or laxity will be tolerated in this regard. He directed that strict monitoring of entry and exit points of the province be ensured. He said that cabinet committee should review the measures taken for maintenance of law and order twice a week. He said that steps are being taken expeditiously for the setting up of anti-terrorism force and the process of recruitment is being completed in a transparent manner.

He said that posting in anti-terrorism department has been declared field posting. The Chief Minister directed that the cabinet committee should itself review security measures at entry and exit points of the province and submit proposals for further improvement in the arrangements. He said that security arrangements at prisons should be made foolproof while the process of installation of jammers in jails should be accelerated.

Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Col Red. Shuja Khanzada, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, Secretary Prosecution, Secretary Finance and officers concerned were present. Inspector General Police and Secretary Home gave a detailed briefing on law and order in the province.