Criminal justice system needs improvement, concedes PM

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar on Monday said that all the resources and security apparatus would be utilised to ensure the holding of peaceful polls on the election date and expressed the hope that they would be successful in this regard.

Prime Minister Kakar said that issue of Baloch families from Balochistan was being projected in negative and in sharp contrast to realities as Baloch were standing with the state of Pakistan.

Responding to different media queries during his visit to Business Facilitation Center, the prime minister said that terrorists and armed militants had been involved in the killing of people of Balochistan. They were killing doctors, lawyers and teachers, he added. He reassured the state would fight with them with all force as they could not be given license to kill people.

The prime minister, referring to criticism by a section of the media, said that the government was not fighting with the Baloch families and regretted that efforts were made to spread confusion and mingle things together.

The issue of families of Baloch had been blown out of proportion, he said, adding these terrorists had been taking money and funding from RAW and killing people in the province.

The caretaker prime minister said that about 90,000 people had been killed in the fight against terrorism but hardly nine accused had been convicted so far. The prime minister opined that the criminal justice system in the country required improvement.

The premier said that there was no restriction on freedom of expression and every citizen has the right to protest within constitutional limits. “The families have the right to protest for their beloved ones but others are just launching baseless criticism.”

He, however, the state won’t allow elements backing and spreading the narrative of militants and terrorists. The prime minister added that it was not his mandate to respond to those criticising him on social media.

“Those who want to support them [armed militants] should join the camp of the militant outfits who termed terrorism as a movement,” he added.

Replying to another question regarding an alleged firing incident in DI Khan over vehicles of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he said that it was alarming, adding the government was responding to security threats in the southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with all the available resources.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar on Monday directed to take additional steps for enhancement of foolproof tracking system concerning Afghan Transit Trade.

Chairing a review meeting over Afghan Transit Trade and anti-smuggling measures, he also asked for the formulation of an immediate mechanism for the establishment of an integrated transit trade management system.

The meeting was attended by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Caretaker Minister for Trade Ejaz Gohar, senior officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, representatives of the sensitive departments and other relevant officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Addressing the participants, the prime minister said that one of the major reasons affecting the country’s economy was smuggling and the illegal movement of goods.

Taking notice of negligence over the smuggling issue, he directed the chief secretary Balochistan to completely change the administrative machinery of District Chaghi. He directed for initiation of criminal proceedings against any personnel, found involved in smuggling, leading to exemplary punishment besides, advising intelligence clearance of any officer before his or her deployment on sensitive posts of customs.

Cargo checking should be improved and the number of Customs staff at Chaman border be increased, he added. He urged the Baloch people to work for the enhancement of businesses and employment in the province.

Appreciating the performance of the committee so far, he directed it to earnestly compile its recommendations. The meeting was informed that due to the steps of the government, the smuggling of petroleum products from Iran had been reduced to a huge extent whereas cargo tracking system had started functioning from Taftan to Quetta.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar on Monday said that enough urea fertilizer was available in the country to meet requirements and directed for initiation of legal proceedings against those involved in its hoarding and illegal profiteering.

He said that those exploiting farmers by urea fertilizer hoarding would not be spared. The prime minister chaired a meeting over the availability of urea fertilizer in the country.

The meeting was attended by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Caretaker Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali and others including relevant officials, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

He also directed the relevant federal ministries to ensure their assistance to the provincial governments in the action taken to control the issue of hoarding by providing details about the demand and supply of fertilizer. The meeting was apprised that for the buffer stock, a total of 2 million metric tons of urea would be imported.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar on Monday said that the development model, featuring a close liaison between the government and private sector, could yield positive results for national economic growth.

The prime minister, interacting with the business community at the Business Facilitation Center (BFC), said the enhanced interaction between the business community and the government, would help increase employment opportunities, taxation as well as GDP growth.

He said that owing to the mutual cooperation between the government and the business community, the country was heading towards achieving economic stability and revival.

Lauding the idea of the BFC, he said the federal government would also play its part by establishing a liaison with the facility that would also be extended to Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

He also assured the federal government’s all-out facilitation for the business sector through multiple measures. The prime minister said that the establishment of the institutions like Lahore’s BFC in other cities, would be beneficial for the national economy. He said that the facilitation of business community was among the priorities of the federal and provincial governments.

During the visit, the prime minister was briefed about the functioning of the facilitation center. Prime Minister Kakar appreciated the efforts by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi for facilitation of the business sector as well as the role of the Punjab chief secretary and other provincial secretaries in the BFC’s establishment that would serve as a one-window facility for the business community.

Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, while addressing the media following his visit to the Business Facilitation Center at Al-Falah Building, expressed admiration for the efficiency and pace demonstrated by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

He conveyed congratulations to chief minister and his team for successfully establishing the Business Facilitation Center (BFC), commending the noteworthy performance of the Punjab government under Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership.

Caretaker prime minister emphasized the need for replicating similar initiatives in Sindh, KP, and Balochistan, highlighting the commendable work done in Punjab. He advocated for the establishment of similar business facilitation centers in other provinces. Caretaker prime minister was warmly welcomed by Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at the airport. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, IG Police Usman Anwar, CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana, and Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa were also present.