CM claims Katcha area purged of gangs

Announces uplift plan after 6-week operation

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that katcha areas had been cleared of dacoits following a multi-agency operation, restoring the writ of the state in the island-like regions of Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

According to official details, more than 500 outlaws surrendered during the operation, including 342 in Rajanpur and 200 in Rahim Yar Khan, including several high-profile gang leaders.

The chief minister congratulated the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Punjab and Sindh police, Cou ter-Terrorism Department and Special Branch for completing the six-week operation without any loss of life among security personnel.

She said heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, machine guns, pistols, ammunition and hand grenades were seized during the crackdown, adding that no incidents of kidnapping for ransom or honey-trap crimes had been reported in the area over the past 45 days.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced a development package for the riverine region, saying schools, colleges, hospitals, technical institutes and transport facilities would be launched, while farmers would be supported through land provision and other agricultural schemes.

She said special incentives would be given to doctors and teachers serving in the area and employment opportunities would be expanded through technical education centres.

The chief minister said a three-member committee headed by Punjab Senior Minister Mariyyum Aurangzeb had been formed to oversee the Katcha Area Development Programme, adding that the government was committed to ensuring lasting peace, fair trials of surrendered criminals and long-term socio-economic uplift of the region.

Potato exports

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging immediate measures to increase potato exports and provide relief to farmers facing market pressures.

The chief minister stressed the need to accelerate exports through the National Logistics Corporation and requested the removal of bottlenecks hindering the export process.

She also appealed for a special 25 per cent reduction in freight charges to make Pakistani potatoes more competitive in international markets.

She called for facilitation in export documentation and sought federal support to expand market access, particularly in the European Union, Africa and United States.

The chief minister said the proposed measures would help stabilise prices, increase farmers' profits and strengthen Pakistan's agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated in a social media message that the delivery of automated teller machine (ATM) cards for the Ramazan Nigehban Package had begun across the province.

She said financial assistance worth Rs40 billion would be provided to four million households under the package through a digital system, ensuring that beneficiaries receive support without long queues or hardship.

A helpline and 160 centres in every tehsil have been established to facilitate applicants, while branchless banking agents have been designated province-wide for card activation and cash withdrawal.

The chief minister said no family should feel alone during Ramazan. She added that daily iftar arrangements for fasting people would be organised in every tehsil, while essential items would be made available at subsidised rates at Ramazan bazaars.