Action Plan against terrorism yielding positive results: CM

LAHORE:

Steps being taken to implement the National Action Plan against terrorism are yielding positive results, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee for implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism. Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Zaman, Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada, Punjab Rangers Director General Maj Gen Khan Tahir Javed Khan, 10th Division General Commanding Officer Maj Gen Aamir Abbasi, Police Inspector General Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, the chief secretary and the home secretary attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed measures being taken in the province to implement the action plan.

The meeting participants expressed satisfaction with the steps taken in this regard. They also agreed to take more measures for effective implementation of the plan.

The chief minister said that departments concerned were performing their responsibilities satisfactorily.

“Due to the effective measures taken by the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police, success is being achieved in the war against terrorism. There is a new spirit and determination in the Pakistani nation. It is time to take decisive action for rooting out terrorism,” he said.

“The nation stands by its armed forces and law-enforcement agencies in this war. Victory is the only option in this war for the survival of the country,” he said.

The chief minister said that extraordinary measures were being taken in view of the situation for the protection of life and property of citizens.

The chief minister also presided over a meeting of Price Control Committee at the Civil Secretariat through video link. The meeting reviewed steps taken for reducing prices of essential commodities and transport fares. “Benefits of lowering of petroleum prices are being transferred to people. Transport fares and prices of essential items have been reduced. Steps for reducing prices of more items will continue,” he said.

He directed the officials to take action against shopkeepers and transporters for overcharging. “Price Control Committee members should regularly monitor the measures taken for reducing transport fares and prices of essential items,” he said.

He directed the officials to submit a report to him on daily basis. He directed the provincial ministers to review the steps taken for reducing the prices. Industries Minister Chaudhry Shafiq, Food Minister Bilal Yasin and the DCO also attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2015.