Govt to protect life, property of people: CM

LAHORE
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting which reviewed in detail security arrangements and the overall law and order situation in the province.
According to a handout issued on Saturday, the meeting decided to take all-out steps to protect the life and property of citizens. The chief minister issued special instructions to the authorities concerned with regard to making foolproof security of mosques, imambargahs, worship places and other important places. The meeting decided that investigation of the cases of heinous crimes would be completed under a specific mechanism.
The chief minister directed to constitute a committee headed by Pervaiz Malik MNA and said the body would evolve a comprehensive strategy for early investigation of cases of heinous crimes and provision of justice to the complainants. Shahbaz said he would himself review the progress made in the cases of heinous crimes.
The meeting gave approval to the programme of reorganisation of Special Branch and Elite Force for harmonising with modern demands. He directed the concerned authorities to formulate a coordinated programme for the purpose.
He said modern training and refresher courses were vital for capacity-building of officials of Special Branch and Elite Police Force. He said short, medium and long term planning should be made in this regard.
The chief minister said preparation regarding expansion of Elite Police Training School should immediately be started for keeping in view the future requirements.
He said in the present changing situation, nature of dimensions of police responsibilities had also changed, adding that “harmonising the police with the demands of new situations is essential.”
Shahbaz said an effective system of punishment and reward in police was of basic importance in the provision of justice. Therefore, effective monitoring system in police should be evolved so that check and balance could be ensured, he added.
The chief minister said the Punjab government had constituted Counter Terrorism Force equipped with modern training and its first contingent had taken over its responsibilities. “The role of Counter Terrorism Force is of national importance.”
Shahbaz directed to finalise service structure of Counter Terrorism Force at the earliest and said a formula of fast track promotion of best corporals should be evolved so that the personnel of the special force could be fully encouraged.
He disclosed that police stations for Counter Terrorism Force were being set up throughout the province. He said use of modern technology in Anti-Terrorism Department was need of the hour.
The chief minister said paperless system would be introduced in Anti-Terrorism Department. He said police had been provided resources earlier and would be given in future as well. He directed that police should discharge its duties diligently for providing justice to common man and spare no effort in redressing the grievances of common man in police station.
Members Assembly Pervaiz Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, chief secretary, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmed, home secretary, secretaries of concerned departments and senior officials attended the meeting.
Knowledge Park: An agreement was signed between the Punjab government and a prominent international business consultancy institution for preparing master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park.
According to a handout issued on Saturday, Punjab Higher Education Secretary Aslam Kamboh and Frost and Sullivan Public Sector and Government Business Director Samita Khawar signed the agreement, under which process, including phase-wise strategic and operation plan, will be completed within 16 weeks.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan could be a developed and prosperous country by promoting of latest developments and the Punjab government had evolved a concrete strategy for equipping new generation with modern knowledge.
Shahbaz said huge resources were being spent on promoting research and education, as he described the Knowledge Park as a unique project of great importance. He said the campuses of renowned universities would be set up at the Knowledge Park, which would prove helpful in strengthening the process of research and education not only in the province but entire Pakistan.
Samita Khawar said they would make every effort for completing the work of master planning at the earliest.