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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. SCREENGRAB
LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the law-enforcement agencies to remain on high alert to ensure peace and security in the province.
Chairing a meeting on law and order after returning from a visit to Brazil, she said terrorist, extremist and hate-based networks in Punjab had been effectively dismantled.
The chief minister was informed that advanced weapons, thousands of bullets, bulletproof jackets and other combat equipment had been seized from the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) hideouts. Officials said the Punjab government had also blocked the funding stream used to incite unrest under the guise of protests.
They said assets worth Rs 23.4 billion of the banned group along with 92 bank and digital accounts had been frozen. Cases have been registered against nine key financiers of the proscribed organisation.
It was decided in the meeting that the provincial government.will request federal authorities to initiate uniform action across all provinces like the one carried out in Punjab against the banned extremist group.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said combing operations must continue without any interruption.
Relevant authorities informed her during a briefing that 31 FIRs have been registered for sharing social media content harmful to national security.
They also apprised her that over 61,000 forms have been distributed for the registration of mosques and prayer leaders across Punjab, while more than 50,000 imams have registered themselves, marking 82 per cent completion.
The officials said five major Wifaqul Madaris Boards had expressed consensus on the registration initiative, strengthening partnership between religious leadership and the provincial government for promoting peace.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to ensure respectful and facilitative dealing with the prayer leaders, adding, “we do not want them to be burdened or compelled to seek donations”.
According to a statement, the Punjab government expressed satisfaction over rejection by the people of extremism and hate-mongering.
