Rejected politicians trying to harm country : Shahbaz

Calls for national unity to thwart enemy designs

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the elements involved in sit-ins are irritated at the projects aimed at welfare of poor masses and are showing their enmity to the people through negative and protest politics.

He said that rejected elements should not try to create hurdles in the process of progress and development. He said that CPEC was aimed to eliminate poverty, unemployment and extremism from the region. He said those creating obstacles in CPEC were not well-wishers of the nation. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan could not afford politics of protest and anarchy and the rejected politicians were damaging the country through their negative politics. He said that investment of 46 billion dollars by China would change the destiny of the nation but it was intolerable to such politicians.

The chief minister said that enlightened people of Pakistan would not allow anyone to undermine the interests of the country and would reject protest politics. He said the Punjab government was implementing a balanced policy for development of the province and work was continuing speedily on projects worth billions of rupees for the progress of South Punjab. He said that 10 percent higher quota had been allocated for South Punjab in development projects.

The chief minister was talking to Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani and MPA Naeem Akhtar Bhabha during a meeting, here Monday. Manshaullah Butt MPA was also present on the occasion.

Muharram: Shahbaz Sharif on Monday directed that no effort should be spared for ensuring law and order, protection of life and property of citizens during Muharram-ul-Harram and foolproof security arrangements should be made for this purpose. 

He said present situation demands that maximum resources should be utilised and even better security arrangements should be made this year than the past for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere on this occasion. 

The chief minister expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review law and order and security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Harram.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said every possible effort should be utilised for maintaining unity and brotherhood during Muharram and security agencies should perform their duties efficiently. He said that enemy was bent upon undermining the survival of country and the whole nation should get united for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemy. He said that nothing could be more important than maintenance of law and order. He said effective security arrangements were made by law enforcement agencies in the past due to which no unpleasant incident took place. In the present situation when the country is facing the serious issue of terrorism, there is a need to improve security arrangements and maximum resources should be utilised for this purpose, he said, adding that Islam gives the message of tolerance, patience and restraint and the environment of religious harmony and brotherhood should be improved. He said that survival of Pakistan depended upon elimination of terrorism and the menace of terrorism and sectarianism could be eliminated through maintaining national solidarity. He said that Ulema and Mashaikh would have to play their due role in promotion of tolerance and moderation in society and they should spread the message of love and brotherhood.

The chief minister directed that law enforcement agencies should remain fully alert and security plan evolved for ensuring law and order should be strictly implemented while patrolling system should also be improved. He directed that solid measures should be taken for security at mosques, imambargahs and other places and additional police force should be deputed; senior officers should ensure implementation of security plan as well as undertake patrolling in their respective areas, he added. 

He said that violation of the code of conduct would not be tolerated and ban on objectionable literature and material should be effectively implemented and its violators should be brought to the law. He said that indiscriminate action should be taken against the elements involved in delivering provocative speeches and wall- chalking. He directed that cabinet sub-committee should review security measures during Muharram-ul-Harram and ensure their implementation.

Home Secretary and Inspector General Police gave a detailed briefing on security arrangements during Muharram-ul-Harram. Provincial Minister Rana Sanaullah, Jehangir Khanzada MPA, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Home Secretary and the officers concerned were present in the meeting.