Shahbaz Sharif reviews security arrangements for Zimbabwe Cricket Team Tour

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which strongly condemned the firing on the bus of Ismaili community and prayed for the deceased. The participants of the meeting sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that attack on peaceful Islamili community is highly deplorable and the Punjab government and people of the province fully share the grief of the bereaved families. He said that the time has come to give a stronger reply to terrorists. He said that those engaged in terrorist activities and their facilitators will be brought to their logical end with the force of national unity.

The meeting also reviewed overall law & order situation in the province, security arrangements for the tour of Zimbabwean cricket team to Pakistan, further improvement of the measures for the protection of life and property of citizens in the wake of Karachi tragedy, steps taken for implementation of National Action Plan against terrorism and the proposed project of Punjab Institute for Law & Criminal Justice. The meeting agreed on the project of establishment of Institute for Law & Criminal Justice in Punjab.

The Chief Minister directed that all out measures be taken for providing foolproof security to the Zimbabwean cricket team and effective implementation of the security plan for the visit of the team to Lahore be ensured. He further directed that a comprehensive traffic plan be evolved for the visit of the Zimbabwean cricket team and alternative traffic routes be devised and given due publicity.

The Chief Minister directed that cabinet committee should review security arrangements during the tour of Zimbabwean cricket team on daily basis and the concerned institutions should perform their duties with the best coordination. He said that the enemy is bent upon destabilizing the country for creating hurdles in the process of development. He said that a watchful eye should be kept on miscreants and anti-Pakistan elements and no effort be spared for their elimination. He said that search operation in Lahore and other cities of the province be accelerated and modern technology should be fully utilized for this purpose.

Shahbaz Sharif said that law enforcement agencies will have to remain alert and all out measures be taken for the protection of life and property of citizens. He said that National Action Plan is the national agenda for elimination of terrorism and effective measures are being taken in Punjab under this plan. He said that there is a dire need for the Institute for Law and Criminal Justice in the present situation. He directed that a committee be constituted for taking necessary measures in future with regard to the proposed project.

Minister for Home Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Members Provincial Assembly Rana Sanaullah, Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, concerned secretaries and senior officers were present on the occasion.