Punjab govt still equivocal about Rangers amid terror attacks

MONITORING DESK

KARACHI: Among the many important decisions taken in the provincial apex committee session, it was decided that relentless operations will be conducted against terrorists and their facilitators, according to a private TV channel.

Those sheltering terrorists and their facilitators will not be spared. All important and not so important workers of banned organisations will be arrested, it was decided in the meeting.

The exact procedure on how to utilise the Rangers help in countering terrorists will be laid out later.

Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the session, vowed to root out all terrorists and their facilitators from the Pakistani soil.

The entire nation is united on the war against terrorism. These terrorists are a scourge on our home soil, and we will root them out, the chief minister said.

The civil and military leaders attending the session offered fateha for the martyrs of the deadly blasts which hit the country over the past week and expressed solidarity with the injured and families of the victims.

The officials also expressed concern on the use of Afghan soil by terrorists to orchestrate attacks in Pakistan.

NNI adds: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee, here on Sunday.

The meeting was briefed on arrest of those responsible for Lahore suicide attack and busting of terror networks. Provincial Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and timely and effective performance of the Punjab government were also appreciated at the meeting.

However, it was apprehended that terrorist network from Afghanistan might be used in the terrorist attack in Lahore and it was also decided that the Punjab government would seek help from Rangers and in this matter procedure details would be set separately. Focus would remain on indiscriminate operation against terrorists and their facilitators. Provincial apex committee meeting decided those who will provide sanctuary to these terrorists would also not be spared.

The committee also decided to broaden scope of operation on the basis of intelligence and take strong measures to stop illegal movement of Afghan migrants, while bordering divisions of Punjab would be monitored alongside enhanced cooperation among all intelligence networks to tackle any internal and external challenges. Meeting of provincial intelligence committee would be held on regular basis.

The Provincial apex committee also decided to take indiscriminate operation against all the banned organizations and to arrest all active workers of these organizations and stop all sources that provide financial assistance to these banned organizations. It was decided that fool proof security would be provided to foreigners and all CPEC-related projects.

During the meeting, recent incident of terrorist attack in Lahore was strongly condemned and Fateha was offered for those who lost their lives and condolences were also offered to the bereaved families.

The Committee expressed solidarity with the heirs of the martyrs paying tribute to their services. Punjab Safe City project was also appreciated. All the participants expressed determination to end terrorism, militancy, extremism and sectarian violence from the country and to take immediate measures to achieve this end.

While addressing the meeting, the chief minister said they would not let anyone play with fire or blood on Quaid e Azams Pakistan. He vowed that this war would continue till complete elimination of terrorism and those responsible for it, would be brought to justice.

The chief minister said political and military leadership was on the same page in this war against terrorism, asserting that terrorists would be held accountable for every drop of blood.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the initiatives taken under the National Action Plan to end terrorism, militancy, extremism and sectarian violence in the country.

National Security Adviser Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua (rtd.), Corps Commander Lahore Lt General Sadiq Ali, Provincial Minister for Counterterrorism Colonel Muhammad Ayub (rtd.), DG Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Major General Azhar Naveed Hayat, General Officer Commanding 10 Division Major General Sardar Tariq Aman, Chief Secretary Captain Zahid Saeed (rtd.), Inspector General Police Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, Secretary Interior Major Azam Sulaiman Khan (rtd) and other high civil and military officers also attended the meeting.