Punjab Apex Committee reviews security today amid rising threats

LAHORE: The Provincial Apex Committee of Punjab will meet today (Tuesday) at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

The meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Corps Commander Lahore. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal, IG Dr. Usman Anwar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Sajid Zafar Dal, Joint Director Intelligence Bureau, Additional IG Special Branch Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamiana, Special Secretary Home Fazlur Rehman CTO Athar Waheed, Additional Secretary Internal Security Home Department Usman Khalid Khan will attend the meeting.

From the military side, GOCs 10 and 11 Divisions, Chief of Staff 4 Corps, Brigadier Internal Security 4 Corps, Sector Commander ISI (Intelligence Wing), Sector Commander ISI Counter-Terrorism and Commanding Officer Corps Intelligence Battalion and other military officials will focus on key security developments in the province.

The committee will receive updates on the Counter-Terrorism Department’s (CTD) intelligence-based operations, particularly in South Punjab’s tri-border areas. The CTD’s recent successes, including the neutralization of 34 terrorists in 2024, would be highlighted. Special attention would be given to the security strategy for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, with military and Ranger support for event security.

Home Secretary Punjab will brief the committee on revised security protocols for Chinese nationals working on CPEC and non-CPEC projects, in light of recent attacks on Chinese citizens. This will include progress on the recruitment of trained private security guards and coordination among law enforcement agencies to implement the National Action Plan.

The committee will also hear from the Chief Traffic Officer Lahore regarding measures to curb traffic violations, with an emphasis on enforcing penalties for red-light violations and promoting helmet use. A new anti-encroachment drive to ease traffic congestion will also be discussed.

A key point of the meeting will be the launch of a joint “Inter-Intelligence Kinetic Operation” to dismantle terrorist networks in South Punjab, especially in the Katcha areas, where terrorist factions and criminal gangs are increasingly collaborating. The committee will be briefed on plans for a CTD “Drones Unit” to enhance surveillance and conduct targeted strikes in these high-risk zones.

Additionally, the committee will address the growing threat posed by terrorist groups emboldened by the Afghan Taliban’s support for Fitna-ul-Kharij, and discuss strategies to counter these external and internal challenges.

The provincial government remains committed to enhancing CTD’s capacity, with Rs1.8 billion allocated in 2024 and Rs1.91 billion in 2025 for operational improvements, including the acquisition of advanced surveillance equipment and covert vehicles.