Punjab stands by KP govt, people: CM

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting, here Thursday, which reviewed in detail the overall law and order in the province. 

The meeting strongly condemned the incident of terrorism at Bacha Khan University, Charsadda and also offered Fateha for the martyrs. The participants of the meeting prayed for the early recovery of the injured persons.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the Punjab government and people of the province fully sympathised with the bereaved families of martyrs. He said that Punjab was standing by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and people in this hour of grief. 

Shahbaz Sharif directed to further strengthen security arrangements in Punjab for protection of life and property of the masses. He said that all possible steps should be taken for maintaining an atmosphere of law & order in the province. He directed that the security plan evolved for educational institutions should be strictly implemented and law enforcement agencies should remain fully alert. He said that the institutions concerned would have to perform their duties efficiently for foiling the nefarious designs of the enemies. He directed that the security of mosques, imambargahs and other worship places should be tightened.

Chinese: A delegation of Pak-China Friendship Association led by its President Sha Zukang called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Matters of mutual interest, enhancing Pak-China ties and promotion of investment were discussed during the meeting. The Chinese delegation condemned the terrorist attack at Bacha Khan University, Charsadda and expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in the incident.

Talking to the delegation, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack at Bacha Khan University Charsadda and said it was tantamount to attack on Pakistan. He said that terrorists were the enemies of the entire humanity and had no religion. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan rendered invaluable sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the whole nation was determined to root out this menace.

Referring to the growing relations between Pakistan and China, the chief minister said that Pak-China relations were touching new heights. He said that Chinese investment of 46 billion dollars in Pakistan under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor reflected its determination to steer Pakistan out of problems. He said that completion of CPEC projects would not only benefit Pakistan but the whole region. He said that projects under CPEC were being implemented speedily and CPEC would be a game changer for Pakistan.

He said that historic investment of 46 billion dollars by China in Pakistan reflected its full confidence in the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and love for the people of the country. He said that Chinese President visited Pakistan in April last year and the leaderships of two countries signed CPEC projects and their implementation started in 2015.

Leader of the Chinese delegation assured all possible cooperation for the promotion of investment in Pakistan especially Punjab.

child labour: Shahbaz Sharif has said that child labour at brick kilns is a grave injustice and he will put an end to this cruelty. He said that these children would be provided education. He said that no negligence would be tolerated in the elimination of child labour from kilns and stern action would be taken over any complaint in this regard. He said that no excuse would be accepted regarding implementation of the law for elimination of child labour. The chief minister said that the steering committee should monitor the steps for curbing child labour at kilns on regular basis and the law in this regard should be strictly implemented. He directed that kiln owners who had been booked for violation of the law regarding child labour should be arrested within 48 hours.

He was addressing a meeting of steering committee set up for the elimination of child labour from kilns through a video link at Civil Secretariat. Fateha Khawani was also offered for the martyrs of Bacha Khan University, Charsadda by the participants of the meeting. Secretary Labour while giving a briefing on the measures taken for the elimination of child labour said that inspection of 760 kilns had been undertaken in the province and 128 cases had been registered on the violation of the law against child labour and 103 kiln owners and managers had been arrested. 

He said that child labour would be eliminated from kilns at any cost and these children would be enrolled in schools. He said that keeping in view this noble cause, the Punjab government had given a revolutionary package to provide free education to children who were working at kilns.