LAHORE, Oct 30: New Punjab Governor Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbool (retired) said on Tuesday stern action would be taken against those resorting to violence in protest rallies, categorically asking district Nazims to pro-actively handle law and order.

“Take control of law and order as you are the real elected representatives of people,” official sources quoted the governor as having said in his first official meeting with all the 34 district Nazims.

Sources said Gen Khalid Maqbool explained that the general law and order was the responsibility of the Nazims which they must discharge with full thrust.

“A handful of elements were taking the things into their hands despite the fact that you are the real representatives of the people. Be pro-active and control the situation,” official sources quoted the governor as having said.

According to an official press release, the governor said the government had been following the policy of negotiations instead of using the state power to handle protest demonstrations and rallies. But the law will take its course against those disturbing law and order and taking the law into their own hands, he warned.

He said the government had in accordance with democratic norms allowed freedom of dissent. But stern action would be taken against those resorting to violence and damaging public and private property in the garb of protest rallies.

The Nazims said most of the people had been supporting government policies and they would not allow handful extremists to hold the entire nation hostage and conduct activities against country’s solidarity.

They said so far the government had been showing restraint but the supremacy of law and the protection of the life and property of peaceful citizens would be ensured at any cost, dealing sternly with those disturbing smooth functioning of the system, the press release added.

Sources said the governor spoke for about one hour and listened to the Nazims for another two hours. But the main thrust of his discourse was the handling of law and order, making the Nazims to realize the importance of their offices in maintaining it.

He assured that all help would be given to the Nazims in the performance of their duty. All their problems and the loopholes in the system including their control over police and the division of financial powers at the lower level would be resolved.

“But, right now, take over the system and start asserting even in matters about which you do not have any legal power. Be pro-active and we will see resolutions of your problems,” a district Nazim who requested anonymity, quoted the governor as having said.

The sources said the Nazims cited their problems with regard to the maintenance of law and order, the major being the independence of police in districts. They said they would be able to come up to the expectations of the government only if given full powers.

Some demanded full powers as were enjoyed by deputy commissioners and district magistrates. And some others demanded facilities and powers for the officers in the districts so that they could deliver the goods.

Many Nazims demanded the redistribution of income generating powers between district and tehsil governments and that a central secretariat should be established in the Governor’s House so that Nazims could seek guidance in emergencies. “Right now we cannot contact anybody for the purpose especially in emergencies,” they were quoted as having said.

Meanwhile, an official press release said the Nazims from 34 districts assured the governor that they would continue to perform the role of the elected representatives of the people to promote unity and to maintain law and order.

They said the political and religious parties must indulge only in pro-Pakistan politics in view of the prevailing conditions and the requirements of national security, and avoid activities that could create anarchy and destabilize the country.

The Nazims said those smashing screens of vehicles, damaging national property and burning tyres were not serving Islam or Pakistan. The continuation of the daily demonstrations and protests were hindering the government efforts to revive national economy.

They said those resorting to violence could never get support of the people and they had time and again been rejected. And most of people were still keeping away from anti-Pakistan activities.

The Nazims said the government had been allowing freedom of expression and peaceful processions in accordance with democratic norms. But a few extremists were out to exploit the liberty to create chaos and lawlessness in the country.

They said the government would sternly deal with mischief mongers and utilize all resources to ensure the protection of peaceful and innocent people.

The governor said the government was determined to strengthen the office of the district Nazim and every step was being taken to enable the Nazims to fully use their powers.

He said the district government had been established to fulfil the requirements of good governance and to serve the people and not to rule them. The government would make the system a success at any cost and take all necessary the steps to make it fully functional.

The governor urged the Nazims to contact opinion leaders in their respective districts and take them into confidence on government’s policy to cooperate with the international community.