LAHORE: Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) headquarters will be constructed in 10 districts, approach roads will be constructed on a priority basis and they will be equipped with drones, GSM locator, sniping rifles and other equipment along with setting up of a bomb disposal unit to fight terrorism.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said this while inaugurating counter violent extremism and CTD training schools blocks during his visit to the headquarters on Tuesday.

He also inaugurated the CTD helpline (0800-11111) and inspected different sections.

The CM also distributed cash prizes and certificates among the officers for showing exemplary performance and announced two months’ salary as an honorarium for the force. He also attended a mock operation against terrorists and commandos’ firing skills at the firing range. The CM, IG Police and principal secretary to the CM also practiced shooting on this occasion.

Different CTD needs will also be met as the department has wonderfully performed to eliminate terrorists and maintain peace in the province, he said, adding trained CTD officials are working with zeal to protect the citizens. Earlier, the CM was presented guard of honor by a smartly turned out contingent of CTD.

Meanwhile, the chief minister planted a sapling at the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) secretariat and inspected the blue pottery display centre. He also formally launched the Apprenticeship Act of 2021 to provide training to the youth in the industrial sector while the certification will be done by Tevta. This act would provide on-job training to the youth.

Mr Buzdar said the Punjab government has formulated the first skill policy which will be presented before the cabinet for approval soon. The past governments ignored Tevta while the PTI-led government has given three billion rupees for different Tevta programmes and Skill Punjab Portal has also been designed to provide jobs to the skilled youth.

He announced establishing the first skill Technology Park over an area of 120 kanals in Tevta Secretariat, adding that 220,000 students are being trained in 403 Tevta centers every year. Punjab’s first skill mapping project was successfully moving forward in collaboration with the urban unit.

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 youth has been given free skill education under the CM Hunarmand Programme to provide employment to needy youth.

Similarly, the chief minister said new technical universities are being set up in the province. An international standard engineering university will be established in Sialkot with an amount of 17 billion and the government will extend full support to the Tevta institutions.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Forests Muhammad Sibtain Khan called on the chief minister to discuss matters of mutual interest. Both extended felicitations to PM Imran Khan over PTI’s wonderful success in the AJK elections.

Talking on the occasion, the CM said the results are writing on the wall for the opponents as the outcome has shown that the PTI was the most popular party in the country. The hollow slogan of giving respect to vote has met a natural death, he maintained.

The government has approved forest policy as well as protected area act and 60 million saplings will also be planted during the ongoing monsoon season. A total of 120 million saplings will be planted during the current year.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2021