the bud before it becomes an unmanageable, formidable monster. Compared with the past when more serious offences would also be ignored, no leniency is now being shown even towards display of arms and towards hate speeches and literature. The discipline and law and order maintained with so much strictness and success during Moharram and local bodies’ polls is a glaring example of Punjab government’s and its law implementation arm, the Punjab Police’s determination to ensure prevention and then elimination of terrorism and terror-related activities.
The credit for this effective handling of terror-related issues goes to the regular meetings of the Apex Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. During these meetings, the CM has been issuing orders for necessary measures, besides continually reviewing law and order situation in this regard.
The overall public take on these measures taken by Punjab Government, under National Action Plan is also encouraging as now the general perception is that the provincial government actions have started yielding highly positive results as manifest in the improvement in the law and order situation in the province.
It has been further learnt that the Punjab government had issued specific guidelines under NAP for maintenance of peace and order during Muharram-ul-Haram and the threat perception issued by the Home Department noted that with the commencement of military operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing National Action Plan, the militants activities’ had ceased to be of any effect. As such, it had become next to impossible for the militants to carry out terrorist activities. During Muharram processions and majalis (congregations), Punjab Government had issued strict instructions regarding supervision by the local administration, police, while local elected representatives accompanied the main processions and were present at sensitive points. During Muharram, the Punjab government strictly enforced the ban on all objectionable hate material, speeches and gagged firebrand speakers besides ensuring removal of objectionable wall-chalking, posters and banners.
The Punjab government, in fact, made use of the strength generated by the national unity as the whole nation stands united in the effort to rid the country of extremism, intolerance and terrorism under the National Action Plan.
It implies that the Punjab Government realises fully well that effective implementation of NAP is highly essential for survival of the country and its stability and for prosperity of the nation.