LAHORE, Jan 31: The Punjab cabinet has set up a committee headed by Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja for reviewing the situation of heinous crime - dacoities, thefts and kidnap (for ransom) - and monitoring police performance on a weekly basis.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held on Monday with Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi in the chair. The chief minister also announced that he would himself preside over a meeting on law and order every month to review the crime situation in the province.

Expressing his displeasure over the rising crime graph in the province, he told senior police officials attending the meeting that the people could not be satisfied with the "performance" of police unless they found a visible drop in the crime rate.

In order to improve the law and order situation, he said he had decided to himself review the crime rate every month and set up the committee for reviewing it on a weekly basis. The chief minister also directed the police to take effective and foolproof measures to ensure law and order during Muharram.

The provincial ministers and district nazims were also asked to make efforts in their respective areas and constituencies to maintain peace. The cabinet also approved the project for the construction of a world class commercial complex in the provincial capital in collaboration with international investors.

The project, a joint venture between the provincial government and the World Consortium, will be the first of its kind in Pakistan. It will have covered area of 12 acres and is expected to attract foreign investment to the tune of Rs12 billion.

The cabinet was told that the completion of the project would create 20,000-25,000 new jobs and boost commercial and business activities in the provincial metropolis. The complex will house a 400-room hotel of international standard and a shopping mall with a large banquet hall having a seating capacity of 7,000.

The cabinet also approved construction of an educational and entertainment I.M.X project, which would spread over 40 acres. It will also house a large shopping area and a modern cinema having the capacity to accommodate 630 viewers.

The provincial cabinet ratified exemption from property tax granted to houses up to five marla "without discrimination of the category". The exemption has been allowed from September last year.