Shahbaz orders crackdown on hatemongers

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure implementation of the security plan evolved for Muharram-ul-Harram and ordered a crackdown on provocative speeches, publication and distribution of literature based on religious hatred. 

Addressing a meeting held to give a final shape to the security plan for Muharram-ul-Harram here on Saturday, the chief minister said that the entire nation would have to be united for making the country a peaceful place and foil the nefarious designs of its enemies. 

He ordered the officers concerned that foolproof security arrangements should be made during Muharram-ul-Harram. He ordered that full attention be paid to the security of mosques, Imambargahs and other worship places. He said that implementation of code of conduct be ensured and the institutions concerned should remain vigilant. He said the members of peace committees and elected representatives should play their due role in promoting religious harmony. He asked them to utilise all their capabilities for maintaining the environment of brotherhood, accommodation and tolerance.

He ordered an indiscriminate crackdown on provocative speeches and distribution of hate literature and said that those involved in such activities should not be spared. 

He said that negligence could not be tolerated and security agencies should utilise all possible resources for maintaining law and order. 

He said the institutions concerned had evolved effective plans for the holy month of Muharram. He said that Cabinet Committee on Law and Order should monitor the arrangements throughout the province and review implementation of the security plan.

The home secretary briefed the meeting on the steps being taken in connection with security during Muharram-ul-Harram.

Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan and Punjab government spokesman Syed Zaeem Qadri were also present. 

liver institute: Shahbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the matters related to Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre project.

According to a handout issued here Saturday, the chief minister said that Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre (PKLTI&RC) would be a state-of-the-art institution, being established in Lahore . He said that medical facilities of international standard would be available to kidney and liver patients. He said free treatment would be provided to the poor in the institution. He said that a state-of-the-art hepatitis clinic was being set up in the institute which would start providing medical facilities by the end of the current year. He said that work should be carried out speedily in this regard.Shahbaz Sharif directed that services of professionals and talented human resource imbued with the spirit of service to the ailing humanity should be acquired for the institution. He said that a third-party audit of this splendid project of billions of rupees would be conducted. He said institute was an important public welfare project which should be speedily executed.

Dr Saeed Akhtar, president, board of governors of the institute, gave a briefing to the meeting on the pace of work on the project. Health Adviser Kh Salman Rafiq was also present.