Punjab Apex Committee reviews security, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasises joint action against terrorism

A meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee was held in Lahore on Wednesday under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to review the overall security situation in the province, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.

The meeting paid tribute to the success of Operation Ghazab Lil -Haq and lauded the role of the Pakistan Army in safeguarding the country. Participants also offered Fateha for Colonel Gul Faraz and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

The committee conducted a detailed review of law and order across Punjab and expressed satisfaction over effective coordination among institutions. Officials briefed the forum on advance security measures undertaken by the provincial government for public protection, as well as progress on the evacuation of illegally residing Afghan nationals.

The chief minister stressed the need for joint measures and enhanced cooperation among institutions to eliminate terrorism. Security issues in the Kacha area also came under discussion, with officials highlighting improvements in the situation.

Maryam Nawaz said Punjab acted promptly to maintain law and order following the Iran war to prevent any untoward incidents. She directed police to treat peaceful protesters with respect during periods of grief and mourning, adding that Lahore Police handled recent protests effectively and even arranged iftar for demonstrators.

She appreciated the role of Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and the home secretary for maintaining contact with religious scholars. The chief minister also announced the mobilisation of anti-drone units across Punjab and directed that anti-drone cells be established at the district level.

Referring to operations in the Kacha region, she thanked the Pakistan Army and Sindh Police for their cooperation and said no kidnapping-for-ransom case had surfaced in the area over the past three and a half months. She announced development projects worth Rs10 billion for Kacha under initiatives such as Safe City, education reforms and health schemes. Around 1,500 officials will be deployed in the area, with bulletproof vehicles being provided.

Under the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” initiative, agricultural land will also be allotted to landless farmers in Kacha, she said, adding that digital monitoring of anti-social elements was essential.

Maryam Nawaz stated that for the first time in the country’s history, 74,000 imams had been appointed on a monthly honorarium. She said the full implementation of the ban on bike safety rods during Basant reflected public compliance with the law and allowed citizens in Lahore to celebrate the festival safely.

On environmental measures, she said Punjab was moving towards being smog-free, with no need to close schools or hotels. During Ramadan, iftar arrangements were being made in every tehsil with the support of philanthropists.

She added that Rs10,000 had been provided to 4.2 million families under the Ramadan Nigahban package and that those who had not yet received assistance were being paid within 24 hours. Ramadan Nigahban and Sahulat Bazaars were offering essential commodities at subsidised rates across the province.

The chief minister said more than 10,500 illegal Afghan nationals had been repatriated, with daily combing operations continuing. She directed strict implementation of standard operating procedures for the security of Chinese residents, warning that negligence would not be tolerated. She added that Chinese nationals would move under police security.

Maryam Nawaz also called for the use of artificial intelligence technology for traffic management in Lahore, citing the Chinese model as a reference.

The meeting was attended by the Lahore Corps Commander and other relevant civil and military authorities, who reviewed ongoing coordination efforts to maintain security and stability in the province.