CM bans rallies in Punjab

LAHORE
The Punjab government has imposed a ban on taking out processions over the victory for further improving law and order in the second phase of local government elections.
The decision was made during a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here Sunday. The meeting reviewed in detail the steps taken for maintaining law and order during first phase of local government elections. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for ensuring peaceful atmosphere during polling.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that protection of life and property was top priority of the government and for this purpose, the Punjab government made best arrangements for maintaining law and order in 12 districts during first phase of local government elections and polling process remained very peaceful. He said that he was grieved over tragic incidents occurred in Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib and Phoolnagar and added that precautionary measures should have been adopted by the police for checking such shocking incidents. He ordered that the accused involved in these three incidents should immediately be arrested and indiscriminate action should be taken by registering FIRs. He said that the accused would have to face action as per law, no matter to which party they belonged. He directed that every aspect of these incidents should be analysed and the flaws should be eradicated during second phase of local government elections so that such unpleasant incidents should not occur again.
He directed that a ban on carrying and displaying arms should be strictly implemented and indiscriminate action should be taken against violators. He said that those involved in firing in the joy of victory should be behind the bar. He said that police should deal those involved in firing with an iron hand. He said that no one could be allowed to take law into his hand as law is equal for all and no one is above the law. He said that he never compromised

on ensuring implementation of law and would not do so in future. He expressed satisfaction over holding of first phase of local government elections in a peaceful and transparent manner in 12 districts of the province and said that by the grace of Almighty Allah and hard work of departments concerned, the polling process remained peaceful, on which, provincial cabinet committee on law and order, chief secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, administration and police of districts concerned and law enforcement agencies deserved appreciation. He said that the political and administrative team of the Punjab government took effective steps through hard work for ensuring peaceful atmosphere and no doubt, credit of excellent arrangements was the result of team work. He said that the steps taken for the protection of life and property of the people in Punjab were exemplary than other provinces. He said that the first phase of LG elections was held in a peaceful atmosphere in Punjab. He expressed his belief that similar best arrangements would be taken in the second phase of LG elections and protection of life and property of the people would be ensured. Inspector General Police and Secretary Home presented initial reports of the incidents occurred in Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib and Phoolnagar to the chief minister during the meeting.
Spokesman for the Punjab government Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home, Secretary Information and officials concerned attended the meeting.
CM felicitates PML-N winners: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has congratulated candidates of Pakistan Muslim League-N on winning first phase of local government elections.
He said that people had once again exposed those raising hue and cry of so-called rigging in general elections of 2013. He said that PML-N candidates had achieved glorious success in LG elections due to the support of the people. He said that politics of service, trust, honesty and transparency had won. He said that people had rejected badly those doing negative politics and levelling allegations. He said the splendid victory of PML-N had proved that people greatly loved party leadership. He said the success of PML-N candidates in such a large number proved that people wanted continuity of the PML-N government policies under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Shahbaz Sharif said that those created hurdles in the journey of development through useless sit-ins last year should learn a lesson from their defeat and those doing politics of lie should review their negative attitude. He said that the historic victory of PML-N had shut the mouth of those levelling allegation of so-called rigging. He said the result of LG elections had proved that people hated protest politics and wanted development and prosperity of the country.
He said that people had totally rejected those creating hurdles in the development of the country in LG elections. He said that peaceful and prosperous Pakistan was the agenda of PML-N and the PML-N government was working round-the-clock for accomplishing the mission of development of the country. He said that all-out measures were being taken for ridding the country of terrorism, energy crisis, poverty and unemployment. He said that no effort would be spared for achieving the goal of progress and prosperity and bringing the country out of darkness.