Curfew to remain effective in Bhakkar until restoration of peace: Chief Secretary Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Secretary Punjab Javed Aslam has said that curfew will remain effective in Bhakkar until the situation will return to normal following the Friday’s sectarian clashes that left 12 people dead.

He stated this while chairing a high-level meeting regarding prevailing law and situation in Bhakkar after the deadly sectarian clashes. The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Home Secretary, Secretary Auqaf, Secretary Information and other higher officials.

Javed Aslam said that no one will be allowed to violate the law, and that strict action will be initiated against the perpetrators involved in the sectarian clashes.

It may be mentioned that a strict indefinite curfew was imposed from 10:00 am onwards in Bhakkar and other restive districts on Saturday in order to ward off any further violence.

Police officials said the curfew will remain enforced until further orders in Bhakkar, Darya Khan, Kotla Jam, Panj Garaeen, and Kahawar Kalan as these districts are most vulnerable to violence.

The Executive District Officer (EDO) Education Qazi Zahoor Hussain said that all the institutes will remain closed in the areas under curfew.

District Police Officer, Sarfaraz Falki told a private news channel that additional contingents of police and Rangers have been deployed in the restive districts.