Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Thursday said the provincial government is going to give more powers to members of the district peace committees to curb the elements involving in spreading sectarianism and spoiling peaceful atmosphere in the province.
The members will also keep a close liaison with police and district administration to maintain law and order situation during Muharram ul Harram, he added. He said provincial cabinet committee members have been visiting all the divisional headquarters in the province and holding meetings with Ulema and religious scholars to maintain peace during Muharram ul Harram.
Rana Sana Ullah expressed these views while chairing Provincial Cabinet Committee meeting held at Commissioner Officer Punjab Home Secretary Maj (retd) Azam Salman, Chief Secretary Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed, Inspector General of Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja, City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehmood, Additional Commissioner Coordination Tariq Mehmood, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Mehmood Gondal, Additional District Collector (General) and Administrator Rawal Town Nazia Pervin Sudhan, Parliamentary Secretary MPA Chaudhry Sarfraz Afzal, MPA Raja Hanif Advocate, DCOs of Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal, Syed Khan Hussain, Muhammad Al Hassan Tohidi, Masood Ul Hassan, Qari Muhammad Umar, Syed Riaz Sheikh, Syed Chiragh Uddin Shah, Shaukat Jaffria, other Ulemas and members of peace committees also attended the high level meeting.
The law minister, while addressing the meeting, said that the government and police have prepared a comprehensive security plan to keep a vigil on terrorists and anti state and social elements in the province and for guarding the Azadars in processions of Alam Tazia and Zul Jinnah during Muharram ul Harram in the province. “All the law enforcement agencies have also been put on high alert to secure the procession routes as well as to provide foolproof security to Imambargahs,” Rana said. He said the LEAs are active round the clock and performing their duties with commitment and dedication. He said all the police chiefs have been directed to enhance police patrolling in their respected areas to control crime and to overwhelm the anti social elements. He urged the Ulema and religious scholars to play their important role to promote religious harmony, brotherhood and tranquillity during Muharram ul Harram. He said Punjab government will empower all the district peace committees to tackle those involved in fanning sectarianism and fuelling terrorism in the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed directed the police chiefs to ensure foolproof security for Azadars during Muharram ul Harram by utilizing all the available resources. “All the departments are in touch closely on district and sub division level for maintaining law and order in Muharram,” he said.
Keeping in view the ongoing law and order situation of the country, the police jawans have been duties on all levels to protect the lives and properties of the citizens as well as Muharram processions, said IG Punjab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera. He said police force are fully prepared to shield the processions of Muharram ul Harram and the enemies of country and peace will not be allowed to shatter peace.
The Ulemas during meeting stressed over need of brotherhood and unity among all the schools of thought besides ensuring their full support to government and LEAs for maintaining peace in the division.