A firm resolve: Nation united against terrorism says Shahbaz

Chief minister chairs meeting to consider security situation in the province.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday that elimination of terrorism was essential to secure the country’s future and maintain order in society.

Presiding over a meeting that considered the security situation in the province, the chief minister said the nation stood by the armed forces in their war against terrorism.

“Pakistan Army has rendered supreme sacrifices for the country. The nation is proud of their courage and bravery,” he said.

The chief minister said Pakistan was passing through a critical phase as its enemies were bent upon harming its integrity.

He said all possible measures would be taken for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens and to ensure their peace of mind. Sharif ordered strict monitoring at the entry and exit points of cities to ensure that terrorists’ efforts to disrupt peace were foiled. The chief minister called for the security agencies to remain alert and vigilant to deny the terrorists any chance to breach peace.



He asked law enforcement agencies personnel to work in close coordination to ensure that the people were protected from crime and acts of terrorism.

The meeting decided to further enhance security arrangements in the province.

Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman, provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah and Col (r) Shuja Khanzada, Punjab Rangers Director General Major General Khan Tahir Javed Khan, Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema and Home Secretary Azam Suleman also attended the meeting.

The corps commander expressed the army’s complete support to the government in improving security for the citizens and taking action against the terrorists. He said that all security measures were in place and the concerned departments were on full alert.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2014.