Anti-state narrative: Punjab govt okays action against Imran, others

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Friday the Punjab cabinet had given approval to take legal action against the PTI founder and other party leaders for adopting hateful narrative against the state institutions. She said a hatred campaign was being run against the state institutions from Adiala Jail.

Addressing a press conference here after the cabinet meeting, she said the country’s development and prosperity was top priority of the PMLN government. She said, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf promoted hatred on social media in an organised way.”

She further said that in the eighth meeting of Punjab Cabinet presided over by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, a number of development works had been approved.

She said that Punjab Cabinet had paid tribute to the Punjab CM for reducing inflation to a great extent which helped in mitigating the suffering of the common man.

Azma Bokhari said that prices of rice, ghee, flour had reduced while rates of cement, gas cylinder and transport fares had also gone down. She said that Pakistani rupee also got stable against dollar

Earlier, the Punjab cabinet, with the CM in the chair, granted an approval for legal action against PTI founder and ex-premier Imran Khan and others for building a hateful narrative against the state institutions.

The cabinet gave approval for negotiating settlement with Punjab Agriculture & Meat Company (PAMCO) and Iranian company MMIC. Provision of financial assistance for the family members of PSP Police Officers, who died during their period of service was granted approval in the meeting. The cabinet accorded an approval for the appointment of Dr Amjad for the post of director general Punjab Forensic Science Agency and for appointment of Dr Tallat Naseer Pasha for the post of director general Punjab Agriculture Food & Drugs Authority.

The Punjab CM also held a meeting with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, in which social services of Pakistan Navy were discussed. She said, “The veterans of Pakistan Navy, who defend Pakistan’s maritime boundaries, are commendable.”

Rear Admiral Rizwan Ahmed, Rear Admiral Shahzad Hamid and Commodore Sajid also attended the meeting.

Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop-3 (SL-3), and Pakistan’s largest Multan Road Interchange. She announced waiving toll tax for traffic on SL-3 for one month.

Maryam Nawaz also met Member National Assembly Dr Shazra Mansab and former MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza Kotla.