Commitment reiterated: Victory only option in fight against terrorism, CM

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday that eradicating terrorism, religious extremism and sectarianism was a national mission.

He was chairing at a meeting convened to review steps taken to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism. It was also decided to reform the Prosecution Department to facilitate quick disposal of cases in the meeting. Proposals regarding the provision of incentives to prosecutors on the basis of their performance were also reviewed in the meeting.

Sharif said the NAP had been unanimously formulated to rid the nation of terrorism. He said victory was the only option in the war against terrorism. The chief minister said requisite amendments had been made to laws to eradicate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. Sharif said some laws had been amended to make sentences more stringent.

He said the prohibition on misuse of loudspeakers, printing and proliferating hate literature and graffiti should be strictly enforced. He said indiscriminate action should be taken against militants and their sympathisers. Sharif said law enforcement agencies should crack down on those involved in illegal trading of arms. He said security arrangements at prisons should be beefed up. Sharif said foolproof security arrangements should be made at religious places. He said the Quick Response Force should be tasked with securing important locations.

Sharif said a comprehensive monitoring system for the Prosecution Department should be formulated. He said the government had taken concrete steps to secure citizens’ lives and properties. Sharif said state-of-the-art technology was being used to maintain public order. He said steps were being taken to reform the police.

The chief minister stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and keeping tabs on the activities of suspects. He said all resources should be used to maintain public order. Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, Auqaf Minister Atta Muhammad Maneka, former law minister Rana Sanaullah, Government Spokesperson Zaeem Qadri and National Assembly Member (MNA) Hamza Shahbaz Sharif were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2015.