LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said the Punjab government has created a secure protection system for children and citizens through digital technology and strong governance. She emphasized that sexual abuse, mistreatment and violence against children are not just crimes but a rebellion against humanity.
In her message on the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, she said: “Children are my red line as every child is dear to me, and ensuring their safety is our collective responsibility.”
She highlighted that those involved in committing crime against children are the worst elements of society and will be completely eliminated from Punjab. She said while underscoring a major step in child protection, Pakistan’s first Virtual Child Safety Centre has been established in Punjab. She added that this pioneering centre has already reunited thousands of missing children and elderly citizens with their families, as in the event of any child going missing in Punjab, Virtual Child Safety Centre enables immediate action and swift coordination to ensure his prompt recovery.
She reaffirmed her government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding children, adding that protection of every child in Punjab “is our top priority”.
On her return from an official visit to Brazil, Maryam directed law-enforcement agencies to remain on high alert to ensure peace and security in the province. She noted that terrorist, extremist and hate-based networks have been effectively dismantled in Punjab. She chaired a high-powered meeting on law and order in which authorities concerned briefed her that advanced weapons, thousands of bullets, bulletproof jackets and other combat equipment have been recovered from the defunct Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) hideouts. They apprised her that the Punjab government has also blocked funding stream used to incite unrest under the guise of protests. They said that assets worth Rs23.40 billion of the banned extremist group along with 92 bank accounts including all other digital accounts have been frozen.
The officials concerned apprised her that cases have been registered against nine key financiers of the proscribed organization.
The meeting decided that the government of Punjab will request the federal government to initiate uniform action across all provinces, similar to the one carried out in Punjab against the banned extremist group.
The CM directed that combing operations must continue without any interruption. Relevant authorities briefed her that 31 FIRs have been registered for sharing social media content harmful to national security. They also apprised her that over 61,000 forms have been distributed for the registration of mosques and imams across Punjab, while more than 50,000 imams have voluntarily registered themselves, marking 82% completion. They briefed that five major Wifaq-ul-Madaris Boards have expressed consensus on the registration initiative, strengthening partnership between religious leadership and the provincial government for promoting peace in the province. Maryam directed authorities to ensure respectful and facilitative dealings with imams, adding that imams lead prayers and “we do not want them to be burdened or compelled to seek donations.”
The Punjab government has expressed satisfaction over people’s firm rejection of extremism and hatemongering. Maryam said wall-chalking will not be tolerated anywhere in Punjab, directing all deputy commissioners to ensure strict and permanent enforcement of the ban.
The meeting also approved formulation of clear SOPs on weapons management in Punjab. In view of the recent Islamabad attack, the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to carry out enhanced surveillance, including drone-based surveillance at the district level.
She also directed them that incidents of harassment anywhere in the province should be monitored through drone surveillance to ensure swift action.