LAHORE:Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz chaired a meeting to review the law and order situation in the province on Tuesday.
Provincial ministers Sardar Owais Leghari, Kh. Salman Rafiq, Ata Tarar, Zeeshan Rafiq MPA, chief secretary and high officials attended the meeting while Jehangir Khanzada MPA and RPO Sheikhupura participated through video link.
The CM made it clear that no groups or gangs could be allowed to take law into their own hands adding that every possible step be taken to protect the life and property of the people. Indiscriminate legal action be taken against the elements taking law into their own hands on May 25 as permission will not be granted to challenge the writ of the State, he added. The police have efficiently worked to maintain law and order on May 25 and full support to it would be continued; he repeated and added that the responsibility of protecting the life and property of the people would be fulfilled at any cost.
The CM was also briefed about the Chunian rape case and the safe recovery of a child kidnapped from Lahore for ransom. The CM directed to expedite the investigation of the Chunian rape case scientifically for a logical conclusion without delay.
CM FOR CURBING OVERPRICING
Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz has directed the provincial administration to eradicate the hoarding and overpricing of fertilizers without delay and added that their availability at a controlled rate should be ensured.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CM said that legal action be initiated against those involved in selling fertilizers at exorbitant rates and its sale be regularly monitored through an effective mechanism. The farmers are my brethren and their rights would be fully protected; he said and directed the line departments to proactively work for providing fertilizers to the farmers.
DELEGATION CALLS ON CM
A delegation of Sundas Foundation’s office-bearers and its donors, led by its president Yasin Khan and others including Sohail Warraich and Khalid Abbas Dar, met with Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz.
On the occasion, the CM approved double the grant for the treatment of thalassemia patients adding that the Punjab government would also lend a helping hand for lab equipment for the Sundas Foundation. He directed to constitute a committee to extend cooperation for setting up a hospital for thalassemia patients as looking after the thalassemia-affected children is a noble cause.
It was decided in principle to give a practical shape to legislation for safety from thalassemia in the province and the CM added that Punjab would take expeditious steps in this regard. He also approved expanding the scope of the anti-thalassemia program. A commendatory certificate was given to trader leader Babar Mahmood for donating 1100 bottles of blood for thalassemia patients. Provincial Minister Kh. Salman Rafiq, Ali Raza and the secretary health were also present.
CM SEEKS REPORT FROM IG POLICE
Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz has sought a report from IG police about the lynching of youth by a mob in Gujranwala and directed to hold an inquiry. No civilized society allows law into one’s own hand and strict legal action be initiated against the perpetrators of the crime; he said and added that those involved in this cruelty deserve stringent punishment. All the requirements of justice should be fulfilled and provision of justice to the heirs be ensured, he further said.