Wagah bombing: CM orders joint inquiry team

CM gets initial report on Sunday bombing.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered on Monday that a joint investigation team (JIT) be formed to investigate Sunday’s suicide bomb attack at Wagah border.

He was presiding over a meeting to discuss the carnage in which at least 55 people were killed.

Earlier, Sharif was presented a preliminary report on the attack.

He said security arrangements for Ashura should be further improved in the wake of the bombing. He directed that law enforcement agencies be alert and keep an eye on suspicious elements.

Zaeem Hussain Qadri, a spokesman for the government, said directives had been issued to tighten security across the province. He said there would be a four-tier cordon around the Ashura majalis and mourning processions.

Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, Food Minister Bilal Yasin, former minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Rana Maqbool Ahmad, the chief secretary, the inspector general, the home secretary and the commissioner attended the meeting.

Fares reduced

The chief minister approved a schedule of reduction in public transport fares following the reduction in fuel prices.

Sharif told a meeting benefits of reduced prices of petroleum products should be passed onto end consumers.

He said stern action should be taken against transporters overcharging the passengers. He said the public should be informed about new transport fares.

The chief minister called for forming a committee to monitor transport fares.

The transport secretary told Sharif that the fares of non air-conditioned urban transport had been reduced by 5.6 per cent and those of non-AC inter-city buses by 7.5 per cent.

The fares of goods transport have been reduced by eight per cent.

Yasin, MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Lahore Transport Company chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hasaan, the chief secretary and the Planning and Development Board chairman attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2014.