17 July 2004	Saturday	28 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

LAHORE, July 16: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi directed police on Friday to activate the entire force for the arrest of gangs robing people and lifting cars and cattle.

Stern action should also be taken against those harbouring the criminals besides handing over the recovered goods to their owners, he ordered while presiding over a meeting on law and order here.

The chief minister directed the officials to prepare lists of fugitives and proclaimed offenders for their early arrest. They should also take serious notice of the incident of car theft and snatching.

He said cattle were the basic source of income and food for poor villagers, therefore, operation against the cattle lifters should be made effective and accelerated. The chief minister said the law against the display of weapons should be enforced in letter and spirit.

He said the government had provided all resources to police and now they would have to show performance. Information was being gathered about police officials misbehaving with people for action against them.

INVESTMENT: Talking to Pakistan ambassador to South Korea Syed Pervaiz Husain Shah and overseas Pakistani investors, the chief minister said the government was implementing a policy to promote domestic and foreign investment in the province.

He said the provincial government was promoting industry through private-public partnership. This was so because unemployment and poverty could be controlled only through the progress of the private sector.

The chief minister said his government was reorganizing public institutions to improve their performance. Mr Shah said all efforts were being made to market Pakistani products abroad.