LAHORE, Oct 8: The Punjab government decided on Wednesday to immediately ban processions, public meetings and demonstrations to pre-empt violence and disturbance in the aftermath of the assassination of Maulana Azam Tariq.

This was decided at a meeting on law and order presided over by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.

The ban has been imposed through the district Nazims under Section 144 CrPC.

The meeting reviewed the situation in detail, especially after the assassination of Maulana Azam Tariq in Islamabad, official sources told Dawn.

The meeting decided to launch a drive against vehicles with tinted glasses. People have been appealed to immediately remove tinted glasses from their vehicles.

It was also decided to take action against the vehicles using green number plates and blue revolving lights.

The chief minister directed the IGP to enhance the timings of patrol as well as the number of policemen performing the duty.

Mr Elahi said protection of the life and property of the people was the foremost duty of the government which it would fulfil at any cost. He said those involved in terrorism were the enemies of the country but the people of Pakistan would unitedly counter them.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister Basharat Raja and senior officials of the provincial government.