Minister Homes Punjab warns of terror attacks in schools

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Home Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada has said that all political parties, armed forces and people of the country are united in the war against terrorism and terrorists will be rooted out from the country. He said that Punjab government has made amendment in the laws regarding use of loudspeaker, tenancy and objectionable speeches and them violation has been declared non-bailable of offense. Moreover, he said, sentences and the amount of fine has also been enhanced.

He was addressing a press conference at Chief Minister Office here today. IG Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera and Secretary Law Abul Hasan Najmi were also present on the occasion. Provincial Home Minister said that banned organizations have been stopped from operating and list of NGOs and seminaries working against national interest as well as the person delivering provocative speeches have been prepared and action will be taken against them on solid evidence. He said that citizens are happy over the setting up of military courts and these courts will soon start functioning. He said that terrorist organizations have been destroyed through Operation Zarb-e-Azb and execution of condemned terrorists. He said that red alert has been issued in the present situation and Pak Army and law-enforcement agencies are working under a coordinated strategy.

He said that action will be taken against terrorists and their facilitators in the light of reports of secret agencies. He said that an Apex Committee has been set up at provincial level headed by Chief Minister Punjab and Corps Commander, DG Rangers and heads of secret agencies and law-enforcement institutions have been included in the committee. He made an appeal to citizens to work with the government in the war against terrorism and immediately inform law, enforcement agencies if they see any suspect. He said that government is taking all possible measures for the protection of life and property of citizens and maximum national resources are being utilized for this purpose.

Inspector General Police told that provincial government and law- enforcement agencies are serious in implementation of the action plan. He said that search and sweep operation has been started in the province and police has registered cases against 650 persons in different police stations.

Similarly, he said, more than eight thousand weapons of different type have been recovered in general holdup while more than 25 thousand vehicles have been impounded. He said that more than two thousand cases have been registered over misuse of loudspeakers while one thousand persons have been put behind the bars. He said that 328 cases have been registered over publication and distribution of objectionable material while 200 persons have been arrested.

He said that meeting have been held with police officers and officials and they have been given detailed briefing on the action plan. He said that a number of foreigners have been arrested most of which belong to Afghanistan and they also include terrorists.

Secretary Law informed that government has issued five ordinances and the law regarding tenancy, security of sensitive places, illegal weapons, wall-chalking and loudspeakers have been amended and its violation has been declared non-bailable offense. Similarly sentences and the amount of fine have also been increased.