Those who saved lives at park are heroes: CM

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said those who made an all-out effort for saving the lives of innocent victims of the Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy and helped the injured with commitment and efficiency are the heroes of the nation. 

He said the spirit of service to humanity shown by administration, police, doctors, surgeons, physicians, nurses, political colleagues, workers, elders, youth and citizens in saving the lives of injured is highly commendable and these spirits make nations and societies. He said there is a need for honesty, hard-work, commitment and dedication to resolve the problems of terrorism and extremism and make Pakistan a peaceful and strong country. He said humanitarian spirit shown after Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy can help in earning the respect for the country and building its image in the comity of nations.

According to a handout issued on Saturday, the CM expressed these views while addressing a function to acknowledge the services of officers and officials of relief agencies, police, administration, other departments, political colleagues, doctors, paramedical staff and nurses in the wake of Gulshan Iqbal Park incident at Model Townon Saturday. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Bilal Yasin, Adviser on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, National and Provincial Assembly Members, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police and senior officials were also present. 

The chief minister said this function has been arranged to pay tribute to those who have made all-out efforts for helping and saving the lives of persons injured in Gulshan Iqbal Park blast. He said these heroes of the nation have set a glorious example of service to the humanity and nation salutes them. He said by serving the victims of Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy in the time of distress, these people have earned the blessings of Allah Almighty and also won the hearts of the masses. He said Allah Almighty will reward these persons for their good deeds. 

Shahbaz said Gulshan Iqbal Park incident is a tragedy and should be strongly condemned. He said this incident has grieved and shocked the whole nation. He said that immediately after the incident, the way Health Adviser Kh. Salman Rafiq and his team worked with passion and diligence was miraculous. He said due to hard-work and dutifulness of doctors, nurses and rescue institutions, a number of precious human lives were saved. He said these people have achieved success in the world hereafter and the mothers, sisters and wives whose near and dear ones have been saved will continue to pray for them. He said these people are national heroes. He said such moments of crisis change the lives of nations and Pakistani nation has also risen up and through collective efforts terrorists will be wiped out. He said these are the examples which will change the course of history. 

The chief minister said these people are benefactors of the nation. He said if this spirit and passion are maintained for service to humanity, terrorists and enemies of peace will be rooted out. He said there is a need for commitment and all-out efforts to deal with the challenge of terrorism and he believes that Pakistan will be purged of the menace of terrorism and extremism and the destiny of the nation will be changed. 

At the end of the function, the chief minister offered Fateha for those who were killed in Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy and also prayed for peace and safety of the country. 

Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, addressing the function, said law and order is essential for the survival of a country. He said those societies where every individual performs his duties stay forever.

law, order: Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting on Saturday, which reviewed the overall law and order and security arrangements at the public places in the provinces. 

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said protection of life and property of the people is top priority of the government and no effort will be spared in this regard. He said present situation demands emergent measures therefore institutions concerned should perform their responsibilities efficiently and with effective coordination for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemies of peace. 

The chief minister further ordered improvement of security arrangements for the people and directed that a comprehensive system be evolved for the monitoring of officials on duty and senior officers should personally review the efficiency of officials deputed at important places.

US consul general: American Consul General Zachary Harkenrider met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday.

Zachary condemned the Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy and expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives. He expressed sympathies and condolence with the bereaved families and said we are with the Punjab government and its people in this hour of distress.