LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order has decided to tighten security at entry and exit points of the province with a direction that the security agencies should step up combing and search operations to apprehend terrorists and their facilitators.
The cabinet committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday also took cognizance of the security threat to sensitive installations and buildings and directed that the agencies concerned pay full attention to the security of mosques, imambargahs, churches and other places of worship.
The chief minister also directed that action should continuously be conducted against the elements responsible for the printing and distribution of hate material, fanning hatred and strict implementation of law on use of loudspeakers.
Cabinet panel for action against hatemongers
Mr Sharif stressed that all the necessary steps should be taken for the protection of life and property of the people. Police and other law-enforcement agencies should work diligently and efficiently to ensure peace across the province.
Referring to the Parachinar blast, the chief minister said the prevailing situation required emergency steps and directed that all departments should proactively perform their duties to foil the nefarious designs of the anti-state elements.
Directing enhanced security arrangements for the protection of life and property of the people, he stressed that different steps relating to the security should be regularly reviewed to plug all loopholes.
The cabinet committee condemned the Parachinar blast and expressed solidarity and condolence with heirs of the victims. The meeting also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
Earlier, the additional chief secretary briefed the meeting about the law and order and security situation. Provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayyub Gadhi, Adviser Rana Maqbool Ahmad, chief secretary, senior officials of law-enforcement agencies and other officials concerned attended the meeting.
Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2017
