Preparations afoot to hold PSL final in Lahore

Punjab CM Shahbaz vows to make terrorists a horrible example: apex committee meeting decides to expedite operation; stresses need for enhanced cooperation with other provinces; worship places to get foolproof security

LAHORE: Preparations are afoot to hold PSL final in Lahore and the Punjab government is waiting for security clearance in this regard.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed to root out terrorism from the country and said terrorists would be made a horrible example. The remarks came as the Punjab Apex Committee in a meeting decided to expand the scope of joint operations conducted by Rangers, CTD and Police and agreed to expedite Operation Raddul Fasaad.

The meeting, chaired by Shahbaz, reviewed the ongoing counter-terrorism operations by civil and military agencies and stressed the need for enhancing cooperation with other provinces.

It resolved to root out militancy, terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from the country and expressed great satisfaction on the ongoing Operation Raddul Fasaad against terrorists, their facilitators and financial supporters. It was the second meeting of the provincial apex committee in seven days with the previous one held on Feb 19.

The committee decided that foolproof security would be provided to mosques, Imambargahs and other places of worship across the province. The provincial apex committee resolved to take comprehensive action against terrorists and their facilitators, eliminate the mindset of militancy, extremism, and fundamentalism with full force and to root out the networks of terrorists and their facilitators.

The chief minister in his remarks said they would not let the terrorists and their facilitators become successful in their evil intentions. “The brave and patriotic Pakistanis are determined to eliminate terrorism from their soil. Our collective efforts would defeat the conspiracies of our enemies,” he added.

“The abode for terrorists and their facilitators is hell and they would have to face theconsequences of their evil designs, not only in this world but also in the world hereafter,” Shahbaz remarked.

The chief minister said the civil and military leadership was moving forward against terrorism with complete unity. “This war against terrorism would continue till the elimination of last terrorist,” Shahbaz promised.

National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Lahore Corps Commander Lt-Gen Sadiq Ali, Provincial Minister for Counter Terrorism Col (retd) Muhammad Ayub, Punjab Rangers DG Maj Gen Azhar Naveed Hayat, General Officer Commanding 10 Division Maj Gen Sardar Tariq Aman, Chief Secretary Capt (r) Zahid Saeed, IGP Mushtaq Sukhera, Home Secretary Maj (retd) Azam Sulaiman and other high civil and military officers attended the meeting.

Earlier, the corps commander called on the chief minister and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, professional affairs, security concerns and Operation Raddul Fasaad.

On the occasion, Shahbaz said lauded great services rendered by Pakistan Army, young police officers and people from various walks of life in the war against terrorism. “The Pakistani forces are fully capable of facing any internal or external challenge,” he said, adding that Pakistan had achieved immense successes in the war against terrorism. The chief minister said Operation Raddul Fasaad would help Pakistan get rid of terrorism and extremism once and for all.