Law and order situation across Punjab satisfactory: provincial minister

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, has said that the protection of life and property of citizens is the foremost priority of the state and that the overall law and order situation across Punjab remains satisfactory.

He was presiding over the 45th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order held at the Punjab Home Department on Saturday. Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain attended the meeting via video link.

Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi and representatives of various law enforcement agencies briefed the committee on the prevailing law and order situation. The meeting reviewed the security situation across the province in detail.

Special focus was given to the security of educational institutions, arrangements for Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day, ongoing and upcoming cricket matches, and other important matters. The committee approved extraordinary security arrangements for Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day and directed the relevant authorities to ensure foolproof security during various cricket series. The meeting also directed law enforcement agencies to conduct combing operations and ensure the effective use of Hotel Eye software across the province to maintain a peaceful environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain said that, in line with the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, law enforcement agencies are working round the clock to ensure peace and stability in the province.

Secretary Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi stated that all available resources are being utilized to maintain law and order throughout Punjab.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Higher Education, Additional IG Operations, Additional IG Special Branch, DIG Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and additional secretaries of the Home Department. Commissioners, Regional Police Officers (RPOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) participated in the meeting via video link and presented briefings.