Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over the 6th meeting of provincial apex committee, here on Thursday and expressed satisfaction over measures taken in the Punjab under the National Action Plan for eliminating terrorism. Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman, Provincial Minister Colonel Shuja Khanzada (retd), Chief Secretary, DG Rangers Punjab Major General Umer Farooq Barki, General Officer Commanding 10-Div Major General Sardar Tariq Aman, Inspector General Police Punjab, Punjab Home Secretary and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.
The performance of Punjab government and law enforcement agencies regarding recent successful operations against terrorists and their facilitators was also appreciated. The meeting decided to take more effective steps speedily for the implementation of National Action Plan. Provincial apex committee also expressed determination for the complete elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. It was also decided that there will be ban on collection of Zakat and Fitrana by the banned organisations and no such organisation will be allowed to collect Zakat and Fitrana. Similarly, activities of banned organisations will be completely controlled. It was also decided that indiscriminate crackdown will be carried out against terrorists and the facilitators of extremists as well as those providing them financial assistance.
While addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that National Action Plan reflects the national determination for elimination of terrorism. He said that federal and provincial governments are taking action under National Action Plan with complete coordination and the whole nation has decided to eliminate terrorism. He further said that operation Zarb-e-Azb is continuing with full force and the enemies of the country are being brought to their logical end through this operation. He said that Pak army has written a new history of courage and bravery in the war against terrorism. He said that besides officers and jawans of Pak army, police, security institutions, all segments of the society including children have rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
Shahbaz said that the war against terrorism is the war for the survival of the country and the whole nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with Pak army. The CM said that Punjab government has taken effective measures under National Action Plan for the elimination of terrorism. He said that Counter Terrorism Force has been set up in the province and it has been imparted modern training.
Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman said that indiscriminate action against network of terrorists, their facilitators and those providing them financial assistance will be continued. A detailed briefing was also given to the meeting regarding the steps taken in the province under National Action Plan against terrorism. Earlier, Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Naveed Zaman met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed matters of mutual interest, professional affairs and the steps taken under National Action Plan against terrorism. The CM paid tributes to supreme sacrifices of the officers and jawans of Pak Army in the war against terrorism.