Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday that besides providing modern weapons and training to the Counter-Terrorism Force, the intelligence system is being improved to fight terrorism.

Shahbaz said that the officers and troops of Pakistan Army, Counter-Terrorism Force and Punjab Police are writing a new history of courage and valour and the whole nation is proud of them. The terrorists and their facilitators have been overcome and the war will continue till their complete elimination, whatever the cost, he said while addressing the passing-out parade of the third batch of Counter-Terrorism Force at the Elite Police Training School. The chief minister inspected a parade by the passing-out corporals and appreciated the standard of modern training given to them and their professionalism. He also gave away cash prizes, shields and honorary swords to the corporals who performed well during their training.

Shahbaz Sharif said that these corporals will not only have to eliminate terrorism from the country but also protect the lives and properties of the people. Congratulating the corporals, the chief minister told them that they have a big responsibility on their shoulders as they are an organised and professional force. He said that two batches of the Counter-Terrorism Force have already completed their training and are fighting the terrorists and their facilitators. Shahbaz Sharif said the Pakistan Army is achieving big successes against the terrorists in operation Zarb-e-Azb. The army, Counter-Terrorism Force and Punjab Police are eliminating terrorists and taking effective steps for the elimination of terrorism from the country, the chief minister said, adding that the political and military leadership are on one page against terrorism and steps are being taken under the National Action Plan for its elimination.

The chief minister said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had envisioned the Counter-Terrorism Force in 2013 and now this dream has materialised. He said that if needed the strength of this force will be increased. It will be made the best force of the world through modern training and professional skill, he announced. Congratulating the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Provincial Minister Shuja Khanzada, chief secretary, inspector general of police, Elite School commandant, Counter-Terrorism Force DIG and trainers of the Pakistan Army the chief minister said that resources worth billions of rupees have been provided for the protection of lives and properties of the people, and besides providing modern weapons and training to the force, the intelligence system is also being improved.

The chief minister said that the Counter-Terrorism Force will materialise the dream of Quaid’s Pakistan by ensuring protection of people’s lives and properties and eliminating the scourge of terrorism forever. He said that it will be made a model not only for Pakistan but the entire world. The Punjab government, he asserted, has provided the most resources to police and other departments from its own budget during the last seven years. Addressing the function, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is fully determined to eliminating terrorism.

He said that nine-month training has been imparted to the corporals of Counter-Terrorism Force officials and expressed the hope that the war against terrorism will be won with the cooperation of the people. Elite Police Training School Commandant Col Saad Saleem also addressed the function. Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, MPAs, chief secretary, inspector general of police, home secretary, senior civil and police officials, parents and relatives of the passing-out corporals also attended the function.