Shahbaz Sharif presided over Provincial Apex Committee meeting

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over meeting of Provincial Apex Committee, here today.

Adviser National Security General (R) Nasir Janjua, Corps Commander Lahore Lt. General Sadiq Ali, DG Ranger Punjab Major General Umar Farooque Barki, General Officer Commanding 10 Division Major General Sardar Tariq Aman, Chief Secretary Punjab Capt. (R) Zahid Saeed, Inspector General Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, Home Secretary Punjab Major (R) Azam Suleman Khan, Secretary National Security Division Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and senior military and civil officers attended the meeting. Progress on the steps being taken to eliminate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism in the province under National Action Plan (NAP) was reviewed in detail in four-hour long meeting.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the steps taken under NAP and it was resolved that efforts will be continued to uproot terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from the province. The meeting also appreciated successful operations carried out by Punjab government and law enforcement agencies against terrorists and their facilitators. The meeting paid tributes to the sacrifices rendered by the officers and Jawans of Pak Army, officers and officials of Punjab Police and other departments.

The meeting agreed to take more coordinated and effective steps for the elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism under NAP. The meeting decided to launch crackdown without any discrimination against those providing financial support to the terrorists and their facilitators and close down all sources of financial aid to them.

The meeting decided that zero-tolerance policy will be implemented against those involved in printing and distribution of literature based on religious hatred and implementation on law of ban on provocative speeches will also be ensured.

Similarly, violation of Amplifier Act will not be tolerated at all and strict action will be taken against those involved in spreading terrorism, extremism, and sectarianism on social media.

The meeting decided to make strict monitoring of entry and exit points of the province. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that our survival lies in the elimination of terrorism and the whole nation is united to achieve this objective. NAP is a guarantee to peace in the country, he added. The decisions of military and civilian leadership have yielded positive results and incidences of terrorism and sectarianism have decreased considerably due to the steps taken under NAP, he added.

He said that the world also acknowledges the sacrifices rendered by the country in the war against terrorism and supreme sacrifices of Pakistan are being appreciated throughout the world. He said brave Pak Army has defeated the terrorists through the most successful military operation in the world history Zarb-e-Azb and those destroying the peace of Pakistan have themselves been destroyed. We are fighting the war against terrorism through unity, solidarity and harmony and winning the war against terrorism, headed.

Shahbaz Sharif express the hope that Pakistan will achieve the victory and the country will be purged of menace of terrorism, extremism, militancy and sectarianism forever. He said NAP has been fully implemented in the province and a number of important steps have been taken in this regard which have yielded substantial results.

The Chief Minister said Punjab is the first province where ‘Safe City Project’ has become operational and use of modern technology is proving helpful in the war against terrorism. He said the process of geo-tagging of madaris, mosques and worship places has been completed. He said that government is determined to eliminate terrorism and for this purpose, all out resources are being utilized. The war against terrorism will be continued till the elimination of the last terrorist, he added.

Earlier, Corps Commander Lahore Lt Gen Sadiq Ali met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Matters of mutual interest and steps being taken in connection with NAP were discussed during the meeting.

Shahbaz Sharif paid rich tributes to the supreme sacrifices of officers and Jawans of Pak-Army in the war against terrorism. He said that Pakistan has written a new history of velour and bravery through memorable sacrifices for elimination the scourge of terrorism and the entire nation is proud of the sacrifices of the martyrs. He said that the country is more secure and peaceful now and it has become possible due to unprecedented success in the war against terrorism.

National Security Adviser Gen (R)Nasir Janjua also called on the Chief Minister. Corps Commander Lahore Lt Gen Sadiq Ali was also present on the occasion. During the meeting, the steps being taken under National Action Plan came under discussion.