Shahbaz Sharif presides over a meeting of Provincial Apex Committee

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Provincial Apex Committee, here today, which was also attended by Corps. Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Sadiq Ali, The meeting reviewed in detail the measures taken in the province under National Action Plan and expressed its satisfaction over the steps taken for curbing terrorism in Punjab. Timely measures taken by the Punjab government in this regard were also appreciated.

The meeting also agreed to accelerate the efforts under National Action Plan to eliminate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. The meeting also decided to curb the activities of banned organizations with full force.

Provincial Apex Committee resolved to root out terrorism, extremism and sectarianism and it was agreed to expand the scope of operation against the facilitators of terrorists on the basis of intelligence. The meeting prayed for the departed souls of woman pilot Maryam Mukhtiar and other martyrs who had laid down their lives in the war against terrorism. Rich tributes were paid in the meeting to the supreme sacrifice of Provincial Minister for Home Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada Shaheed.

The Chief Minister while addressing the meeting said that Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada Shaheed laid down his life for the country. He said that Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada Shaheed played a vigorous role for the elimination of terrorism from the province. He said that woman pilot Maryam Mukhtiar was the daughter of the nation and the country is proud of such brave and courageous daughters. He said that no one can defeat such a nation as has daughters like Maryam Mukhtiar.

Shehbaz Sharif said that indiscriminate action would continue against terrorists and their facilitators and the menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism would be rooted out from the country. He said that the war against enemies of peace would continue till complete victory. He said that officers and Jawans of Pak Army, police as well as all segments of society have rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

He said that terrorists and their facilitators would be made an example and those destroying peace in the country would be brought to their logical end. He said that military and political leadership of Pakistan is moving forward against terrorism with complete unity. He said that the nation is united in the war terrorism and the final victory would be of Pakistani people.

Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Sadiq Ali, Jehangir Khanzada, MPA, son of former Home Minister Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, DG Rangers Punjab Maj. Gen. Umar Farooq Burki, General Officer Commanding 10^th Division Maj. Gen. Tariq Aman, Inspector General Police, Provincial Secretary Home and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.

Earlier, Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Sadiq Ali held a meeting with Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Professional affairs of Pak Army and the measures taken in Punjab under National Action Plan for the elimination of terrorism were discussed on the occasion.

The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of the officers and Jawans of Pak Army in the war against terrorism and said that they have written a golden chapter of courage and bravery. He said that the nation is proud of the sacrifices of the martyrs. He said that Pak Army has broken the back of terrorists through Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said that the war against terrorism is aimed at survival of the country and the whole nation is standing by its armed forces.