CM vows to implement ban on weapons’ display

Says all-out efforts will be made to ensure rule of law in the province

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said display of weapons would be completely banned during by-elections in NA-120 and the government would ensure that the ban was implemented in the whole city of Lahore.

Shehbaz expressed these views while addressing a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Law and Order at Civil Secretariat through video link, after his return from London. The meeting held a detailed review of overall situation of law and order in the province, the tour of World XI to Lahore as well as the security arrangements with regard to by-election in NA-120. It was decided to impose complete ban on the display of weapons in the whole of Lahore.



Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz said no stone would be left unturned in ensuring the rule of law in the province and directed the authorities to take every possible step to improve law and order situation.

“Wonderful security and other arrangements have been made with regard to the tour of World XI to Lahore. I am satisfied that Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, police and the administration have made it all possible.

The arrangements of final match between World XI and Pakistan XI should be even better,” he said.

The chief minister said ensuring peace and tranquility during bye-election of NA-120 was the foremost responsibility. He said strict implementation of ban on display of weapons have to be ensured and SP, DSP, ASP concerned and the relevant inspectors would be held responsible where the violation had occurred.

He said display of weapons would be completely prohibited. “The Punjab government is providing every possible security to the candidates taking part in the by-election.



Even more affective strategy be adopted to curb the menace of celebratory firing on victory. I will not tolerate any incident of celebratory firing,” he remarked. “No one is above the law and indiscriminate action will be taken against the violators.”

Provincial Minister Rana Sanaullah, Adviser Rana Maqbool Ahmed, additional chief secretary (Home), secretary to CM and officials concerned attended the meeting from Model Town through
video link.

While the chief secretary, CCPO, DIG (Operations), Lahore mayor, commissioner and other officials participated in the meeting from Civil Secretariat through video link.

Earlier, talking the media persons at the Lahore airport after his return from a nine-day visit to London, Shehbaz said Punjab Health Road Show was very successful in London and doctors, surgeons and health professional have assured their cooperation for improving the healthcare sector in Punjab.

He went to London on September 5 for his medical checkup and also to enquire after Begum Kulsoom Nawaz on a trip to London. The schedule was changed to accommodate a Punjab Health Road Show in London. From earlier this week, the chief minister was also scheduling a visit to Turkey to meet the Turkish president.

The trip was earlier scheduled as one-day stopover in Turkey on his way to Lahore, however, currently according to MPA Zaeem Qadri, the CM is expected to leave for Turkey on Friday (today) for a one-day trip.

During his stay in London, Shehbaz attended the Punjab Health Road Show and delivered the keynote address.

He extended invitations to the expatriate doctors and the medical experts to provide their support and invest in the healthcare system of Punjab to make it better. He said this cooperation would strengthen the ongoing healthcare reform process in the Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2017.