Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Tuesday said that the law would take its course against those who wanted to create instability and unrest in the country.
Talking to the media after attending funeral prayer for martyred police constable Kamal Ahmad at Police Lines, he said that the death of the constable was a result of hatred spread by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership among its followers.
He said that former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan had been targeting national institutions and instigating his followers to do so, adding that the PTI had introduced the worst traditions in politics by putting aside moral values. “Even women are not safe,” he said.
He went on to say that the PTI during its previous sit-in in Islamabad created hurdles in the functioning of the government and a huge economic loss was incurred due to the cancellation of visits of foreign dignitaries.
The chief minister alleged that the PTI is insincere to the people. He added that people were already facing multiple challenges created by the previous PTI government and now they wanted to create anarchy, however, such elements would be dealt with an iron fist.
Hamza said that the incumbent government was taking all-out measures to steer the country out of the prevailing crisis. He added that a subsidy of billions of rupees was announced to ensure the provision of flour at subsidized rates in the province. More programmes were being prepared to provide relief to the people.
Also, the chief minister chaired a meeting on law and order at his office.
Speaking on the occasion, Hamza said that no one would be allowed to interrupt the routine life.
“Police and other law enforcement agencies would take every step to protect the life and property of the people,” the chief minister said.
Sardar Awais Leghari, Ataullah Tarar, chief secretary, IG police, ACS (Home), Lahore CCPO and others attended the meeting.
Separately, the chief minister chaired a meeting on jail reforms.
The meeting was attended by Abdul Aleem Khan, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Ali Raza, Aniza Fatima, additional chief secretary (home), finance secretary and IG (prisons) while Ayesha Nawaz and Rida Qazi participated from Islamabad through a video link.
At the outset of the meeting, the CM said that prison rules would be amended to ensure necessary facilities for prisoners. “We have to reform the archaic prison system so that the inmates have access to basic facilities,” he said, adding that jail employees would also be given due rights. “Necessary sports facilities should also be provided in jails and the installation of air coolers shouldn’t be delayed,” the CM maintained.
He ordered officials concerned to devise a comprehensive plan to repair jail buildings along with ensuring regular checking of food quality by the Punjab Food Authority.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation led by MPA Hasan Murtaza called on Hamza Shehbaz Tuesday at his office. Both sides discussed the prevailing political situation.
The meeting paid homage to Constable Kamal Ahmad and the CM vowed that the accused would be brought to justice.
Makhdoom Usman Ahmad Mahmood, Sardar Mumtaz Ali and Shahzad Saeed Cheema. Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Zeeshan Rafiq and others were also present.
