Anti-terror force by year-end: CM

Mar 26, 2014

LAHORE: CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the maintenance of law and order is top priority of the government and measures are being taken for improving law and order in the province.

He said maximum funds would be provided to police; however, it would have to perform its duties with commitment and efficiency and come up to the expectations of the masses. He said measures were being taken expeditiously for the setting up of anti-terrorism force and its offices were being set up at the divisional headquarters level. He said anti-terrorism force would become operational by the end of the current year.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting to review the overall law and order in the province, here Tuesday.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said police should spare no effort for protecting life and property of the citizens and redressing the grievances of the people. He said huge funds had been provided for improving the efficiency of police and modern training had also been arranged for its capacity-building. He said work was being carried out speedily on the project of setting up a modern command and control centre in Lahore. He said the centre would help eliminate crime through modern digital monitoring system. The Punjab government has increased the package for police martyrs to Rs50 million and the government will discharge its responsibility regarding look after of the families of the police martyrs in a proper manner. He said free education and health facilities would be provided to the children of police martyrs and their families would also be provided houses. He said police would have to show better performance and utilise all its abilities for improving law and order. He said the officials showing negligence and dereliction of duty had no room in police department.

Amna Batool case: A video of interview of Amna Batool was shown to the meeting in which she had complained about the police attitude and that police had demanded Rs75,000 for providing her justice. The chief minister burst into tears after watching the video.

He said Amna Batool case of Muzaffargarh was a test case for police as the innocent girl had been subjected to extreme cruelty. He said the family of Amna Batool would be provided justice at any cost and the Punjab government would bear all expenses regarding the case. He said all legal demands would be met for ensuring due punishment to the culprits.

Shahbaz Sharif directed Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan to review the progress of the case on daily basis. The CM said that he would personally monitor the case.

(The News)

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