LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet was briefed here on Tuesday about the terrorism threat perception in the wake of likely operation in North Waziristan as it approved a sum of Rs333 million for training and provision of arms and equipment to the newly-established Counterterrorism Force as well as Elite police.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was told about the likely targets of terrorists and the strategy being adopted to counter the same.

The CM directed monitoring of unconventional entry and exit routes of the province with the help of CCTV cameras and sought a complete report in this respect.

He asked the cabinet committee on law and order to visit in person at least three such spots, particularly along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders, meet at least twice a week for effective monitoring of the counter-terrorism efforts.

The cabinet gave its nod for release of Rs333m funds for training of the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) force and the Elite police besides equipping them with latest arms and gadgets. Under the training plan, at least 25,000 to 30,000 officials – constables up to inspectors – would be prepared as quick response force through a month-long course.

Elite Force authorities told the meeting that at least 650 teams had been withdrawn from VIP security duties to spare them for countering terror hits.

The government had also notified CTD officials’ posting as field posting to enhance their perks.

The meeting also okayed Rs330m funds for installation of jammers in Punjab prisons, while the chief minister sought a comprehensive plan for de-weaponisation of society in the next cabinet meeting.

The chief minister said the cabinet committee should submit final recommendations for a vigorous crackdown on illicit weapons. He said a plan be made for curbing cell phone SMSs based on religious hatred and that the ban on wall-chalking and misuse of loudspeakers be strictly enforced.

The cabinet deferred consideration of Zakat and Ushr (amendment) Ordinance for the next meeting.

RESOLUTION: It also approved a unanimous resolution expressing gratitude to Chinese leadership over the historic and successful visit of the chief minister to China.

The resolution said the $30 billion investment package announced by China was reflective of the confidence of its leadership in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Shahbaz Sharif informed the cabinet that the package, spanning over seven years, also included construction of mono rail or Orange Line on Multan Road in the provincial metropolis costing $1.7bn.

He said various Chinese companies would also invest in ports and energy sectors that included Gwadar Port, Port Qasim, Multan-Sukkur motorway, Thar coal, Karachi nuclear power plant, and some hydro power and mining projects.

All these energy projects, he added, would generate 20,000MW power.