LAHORE: The provincial Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday reviewed the overall law and order situation and security arrangements in Punjab, with officials briefing the meeting on measures to protect lives and property.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over coordination among security agencies and termed the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub at the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC) an important step towards timely sharing of information. PIFTAC and the AI Hub were launched earlier this month to strengthen threat assessment and coordination among security agencies.
The chief minister welcomed successes in ongoing operations against terrorists and praised the Pakistan Army’s professional capabilities in operations against what the government refers to as Fitna al-Hindustan.
The meeting also paid tribute to Captain Abu Zarr Farooq, Lt Shiras Babar and other personnel martyred during Operation Zarb-i-Labbaik, and offered Fateha for the departed souls.
The Lahore Corps Commander, who attended the meeting, appreciated the performance of the relevant institutions and termed it satisfactory.
The committee was informed that 93 projects were being initiated in the riverine areas to improve social infrastructure. Smart police stations and police check posts would also be established there, while a steel bridge costing Rs620 million would be constructed. Skill-development programmes would be launched to create employment opportunities for residents of the riverine belt.
The meeting was further informed that steps were being taken to ensure the exit of illegally residing foreign nationals from Punjab.
Speaking at the meeting, the CM Punjab said all institutions in Punjab were working in coordination and that maintaining law and order required putting personal interests aside.
She said a decline in street crime had improved the public’s sense of security, adding that there was no room for hooliganism, land grabbing or mafias in Punjab. She said 718 police personnel had been dismissed from service for involvement in corruption.
The chief minister praised institutions working for peace in the riverine areas and said a development package of more than Rs30 billion was being implemented there for health, education and security. She also welcomed the organisation of a major cricket tournament in the area, describing public and officials’ participation as encouraging.
She said continued monitoring and vigilance were being maintained in the riverine belt, while the overall law and order situation in Punjab remained encouraging despite ongoing operations.
The chief minister said proactive policing had contributed to a continued decline in crime and that the police were being provided with necessary resources, including technology. Police personnel were being equipped with body-worn cameras, while the Safe City system had been expanded across Punjab.
She said there should be no gap in security arrangements and stressed the need for preventive measures. Despite various challenges, she added, all possible steps were being taken to protect the public.
The chief minister also said Punjab and its people paid tribute to the armed forces and praised the leadership of the Field Marshal. She said all institutions were working together against terrorism and that Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos had enhanced Pakistan’s image internationally.
She said the regional situation had also increased the need to protect people from inflation and economic difficulties, adding that the government was focusing on this aspect alongside security measures.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026