Heightened security: Govt to keep an eye on whoever enters the Punjab

Surveillance cameras will be installed at all entrances to the province.

LAHORE:

The government will install surveillance cameras at all entrances to the province to monitor vehicles entering the Punjab, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday. The participants of the meeting discussed various proposals to tighten security in the province and took several key decisions in this regard.

A participant of the meeting told The Express Tribune that the chief minister has told government officials to start work on installing surveillance cameras on an urgent basis. He said the work will start in a week. “The cameras will be installed at 12 entrances to the Punjab. All vehicles, especially those coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be monitored,” he said.

The official said that they had taken several decisions pertaining to a crackdown on people facilitating terrorists. An integrated intelligence sharing system will be devised in which counter-terrorism intel from the Special Branch, police and intelligence agencies will be pooled, he said. “The departments will work together on this.”

The participants agreed that capacity-building measures for the police were required. The first batch of 1,300 Counter Terrorism Department personnel will complete their training this month. “They have been trained in counter-terror measures and will investigate all cases pertaining to terrorism.”

An official statement issued by the Directorate General of Public Relations said Sharif had said that terrorists had subjected children to the worst kind of brutality in Peshawar and the whole nation was grieved because of it. He said the time had come to rid Pakistan of the menace of terrorism. “The nation has awakened and is united in its resolve to root out this scourge. Together we can make Pakistan a haven in line with the vision of the Quaid and Iqbal,” the chief minister said.

He said the time had come to crackdown on terrorists, their supporters and facilitators without discrimination. “Our gift to future generations is going to be a peaceful and safe Pakistan... This can only be achieved through determination and renewed national zeal,” he said.

Sharif said political, religious and military leaders were united in the war against terrorism. “We will take revolutionary measures to eradicate terrorism from our soil,” he said.

The chief minister stressed the role of the civil society in achieving this goal. He said it was a common cause and a comprehensive victory was the only option.

He asked the relevant departments to perform their duties to the best of their abilities and ensure coordination. Sharif said no effort would be spared in protecting the life and property of citizens. “The situation demands nothing short of extraordinary measures,” he said.

The chief minister issued instructions to set up joint sub-committees to ensure close coordination among relevant institutions.

At the meeting, Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Zaman said the army would cooperate with the Punjab government and the police with regard to measures against terrorism. “We realise that it is a war for Pakistan’s survival and we must make collective efforts to win it.” He said the army would also help train the police.

Rangers Director General Major General Khan Tahir Javed Khan, 10th Division General Commanding Officer Major General Aamir Abbasi, Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada, lawmakers Rana Sanaullah and Zaeem Hussain Qadri and Special Assistant Azamul Haq were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2014.