Apex Committee satisfied with anti-terror steps

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of Provincial Apex Committee on Thursday, which was also attended by Corps Commander Lahore Lt-Gen Sadiq Ali. The meeting reviewed 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 decided to curb the activities of banned organisations 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 Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada Shaheed. The chief minister while addressing the meeting said that Shuja Khanzada Shaheed laid down his life for the country. He said Shuja Khanzada Shaheed played a vigorous role for the elimination of terrorism from the province. He said woman pilot Maryam Mukhtiar was the daughter of the nation and the country is proud of such brave and courageous daughters. He said no one can defeat such a nation as has daughters like Maryam Mukhtiar.
Shahbaz 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 the war against enemies of peace would continue till complete victory. He said 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 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 military and political leadership of Pakistan is moving forward against terrorism with complete unity. He said the nation is united in the war terrorism and the final victory would be of Pakistani people. Corps Commander Lt-Gen Sadiq Ali, Jehangir Khanzada, MPA, son of Shuja Khanzada, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, DG Rangers Punjab Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki, General Officer Commanding 10th Division Maj Gen Tariq Aman, Inspector General Police, Provincial Secretary Home and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.
Earlier, Corps Commander 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 CM 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 the nation is proud of the sacrifices of the martyrs. He said Pak Army has broken the back of terrorists through Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said the war against terrorism is aimed at survival of the country and the whole nation is standing by its armed forces.
horticulture: Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting which reviewed steps for the promotion of horticulture and plantation in big cities including Lahore and took a number of important decisions.
The meeting decided to enhance punishment for cutting trees. There will be summary trial for cutting tree and minimum imprisonment will be three days and fine of fifty thousand rupees. The meeting gave approval to amendment in PHA Act 2012 for this purpose. Approval was also given for purchasing modern transplanter for shifting tree from one place to another and setting up of modern nursery on the pattern of Chinese model in Jallo Park.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is promoting horticulture in the province, due to which, not only beauty of cities is increasing but it is also helping in overcoming the problem of pollution. He said it is policy of Punjab government to make projects beautiful and attractive through horticulture, under which, trees will be planted on dividers between roads for increasing beauty of cities.
The CM directed that after amendment in PHA Act 2012, strict implementation of the new law should be ensured. He directed saplings and ivy should be planted on vacant places around drains. He said that speedy steps should be taken for the promotion of tree plantation and horticulture in big cities including Lahore. He said walls and surroundings of flyovers and underpasses should be made attractive through horticulture.
Shahbaz Sharif said that walls of buildings around roads should be made green through horticulture and ivy. He said metro bus routes, stations and bridges should be made beautiful through horticulture. He said running PHA on modern lines is need of the hour, therefore, reforms should be introduced for capacity-building of PHA. The CM directed to evolve a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of parks of Lahore. He said that benefit should be taken from modern technology and special attention should be paid to institutional mechanism.
He said a comprehensive plan should be evolved with the cooperation of Forests Department for the promotion of tree plantation. DG PHA gave a briefing about horticulture and tree plantation. Kh Ahmed Hassan, MNA Jaffer Iqbal, Inspector General Police, Vice Chairman PHA Iftikhar Ahmed, Commissioner Lahore Division, Secretary Housing, DG LDA and officials concerned attended the meeting.
Turkish team calls on CM: A delegation of Al-bayrak Group of Companies of Turkey led by Ahmet Al-bayrak called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Thursday. It was decided in the meeting to promote cooperation in infrastructure, transport and engineering sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey were strengthening with the passage of time and hearts of the people of both the countries beat together. He said that a number of Turk companies were investing in various sectors in Punjab and the increasing investment by Turk companies was helping in promotion of economic cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan.
He said that a conducive atmosphere for investment had been created in Punjab. He said that transparency, standard and speed were ensured in the implementation of projects. The members of the Turk delegation said that they wanted to work with the Punjab government and benefit from the investment opportunities available in the province. They said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had worked very hard for the development of the province and due to his efforts Punjab was moving towards progress and development. The Turk delegation said that Lahore seemed on a par with Istanbul with regard to cleanliness. Member National Assembly Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Kh. Ahmad Hasaan, Chairman Planning & Development, Commissioner Lahore Division, Chairman Punjab Investment Board and concerned officers were present on the occasion.
SOOMRO
Former Speaker National Assembly Elahi Baksh Soomro called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was striving to meet the challenges faced by the country. He said that speedy measures were being taken to resolve energy crisis. He said that work was being carried out on thermal power plants, coal power plants and solar projects. He said that completion of energy projects would accelerate industrial and trade activities.