CM Punjab reviews implementation of National Action Plan against terrorism

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which reviewed implementation of National Action Plan against terrorism and overall law and order situation in the province.

The meeting decided to use biometric machines in search operations and surveillance of the elements included in the Fourth Schedule with the help of modern technology. The Chief Minister also gave approval to filling existing vacancies in the Special Branch and recruitments against new vacancies. It was also decided to bring Police School of Intelligence under the subordination of the Special Branch.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that effective measures have been taken in the province under National Action Plan for the elimination of terrorism and it has yielded encouraging results. He said that terrorists are the enemies of the nation and will be rooted out from the country. He said that it has been decided to use biometric machines in search operations in Punjab and the first phase of this programme will be started from Lahore and it will gradually be extended to the whole province.

He said that use of latest technology in search operations will help in eradication of terrorism and crime. Shahbaz Sharif directed that implementation of the ban on display of firearms be ensured in the province without any discrimination. He further directed that the law regarding misuse of loudspeaker, publication and distribution of objectionable literature and wall-chalking should be strictly implemented. He said that effective implementation of the plan for foolproof security of mosques, Imambargarhs and other religious places should be ensured. He said that immediate measures for modernizing intelligence system and capacity-building of the Special Branch are the need of the hour.

The Chief Minister while giving approval to filling existing vacancies in the Special Branch and recruitment against new vacancies directed that this process should be completed in a transparent manner. He also gave approval to bringing Police School of Intelligence under the control of the Special Branch and said that Police School of Intelligence should be harmonized with the demands of the modern age. He said that construction work of the new building of the school be completed at the earliest.

He said that the process of recruitment in the Special Protection Unit for the security of foreigners and Chinese nationals should be completed within stipulated period. Shahbaz Sharif said that provision of funds for the improvement of law and order is not expenditure but useful investment for making Pakistan a peaceful and safe country for the future generations.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Member National Assembly Hamza Shahbaz, Special Advisor Rana Maqbool, Member Provincial Assembly Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretaries of Home, Finance, Law, Prosecution departments and concerned officers were present in the meeting.

Meanwhile;Punjab government and a prominent British international institution for certification, City & Guilds signed two memorandums of understanding here today. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest at the ceremony held in Model Town. On behalf of Punjab government, Chairman TEVTA Irfan Qaisar Sheikh and Chairman Punjab Vocational Training Council Faisal Ijaz Khan and on behalf of City and Guilds, its Regional Director for South Asia Mufti Hashim signed the documents. Under the agreements, City & Guilds will give certification to 35 thousand boy and girl students annually, receiving training from TEVETA and PVTC. It will include 15 thousand students of TEVETA and 20 thousand of PVTC.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister said that promotion of vocational education is of vital importance for the speedy development of the country. He said that Pakistan’s future is linked with vocational education, therefore, Punjab government is paying special attention to skill development. He welcomed the agreements signed with City & Guilds International and said that their implementation will help in raising the standard of skill development. He said that Punjab government wants to benefit from the experience and expertise of City & Guilds for the promotion of vocational education in the province. He said that cooperation of City & Guilds will help improve training system in the country. He said that there is a lot of demand for Pakistani skilled manpower in international market and certification of City & Guilds will result in availability of job opportunities to the Pakistani youth in Middle East. Shahbaz Sharif further said that these agreements will also play an important role in skill development. He said that concerned institutions should play an active role for quality skill development in Punjab. He said that opportunities can be availed by sending skilled workforce to Middle East, Gulf countries and Europe. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is implementing a big programme of imparting skills to the youth and thousands of youth have been made skillful under this programme. He said that government has fixed the target of imparting skills to five lakh youth annually in accordance with the market needs. He said that vocational training institutes should harmonize their syllabus with the modern demands. He said that provision of quality training can result in empowerment of youth. He said that vocational institutes will now have to work hard for the achievement of the targets and only hardworking officers will stay on their posts. The Chief Minister further said that special attention should be paid to the training of the teachers of vocational training institutes. He said that City & Guilds should also cooperate in skill development and capacity-building of training institutes.

Regional Director of City & Guilds for South Asia Mufti Hashim assured that all out cooperation will be extended to Punjab government for preparation of quality skilled force. Provincial Ministers Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Industries, Labour, Chairman TEVETA, Chairman PVTC, concerned authorities and Country Director of City & Guilds in Pakistan Asad Warraich were also present on the occasion.