Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a sixth consecutive meeting on law and order in Punjab, in which Punjab Government decided to register FIRs against all individuals who rent or lease property to illegal foreign nationals, including Afghans residing unlawfully in Punjab, besides submitting a daily report on houses, shops, factories, hotels, petrol pumps or any other property rented to Afghans or any other foreign national.
Punjab Government directed the relevant authorities to announce in mosques across Punjab to help identify illegally residing Afghan nationals. It also directed them that Patwaris, Numberdars and SHOs should be tasked to report in this regard. Moreover, it was agreed in the meeting to conduct a comprehensive field survey across all districts in the province to collect updated data on illegally residing foreigners.
The meeting also approved legal action against Afghans or other foreigners who entered Pakistan on visit visas or illegally and are engaged in economic activities without authorization. Provincial Government sought a report from the relevant stakeholders on ‘benami’ (anonymous) and suspicious properties, and made it quite clear that any person found renting or leasing property to Afghans or illegal foreign residents would face stern action.
Relevant authorities briefed Punjab government that five FIRs have already been registered in Khanewal against individuals who rented properties to illegal Afghan residents. It was apprised in the meeting that facial recognition technology is being used to identify Afghan nationals living illegally in the province, besides establishing 45 ‘Holding Centers’ to provide them accommodation, meals and transport facilities up to Torkham border.
The meeting was also apprised that a crackdown against illegal weapons is underway in the province, and citizens are in close contact with CCD in this regard. The relevant authorities also briefed participants of the meeting that social media activists promoting extremist groups have also come under strict legal scrutiny, while religious seminaries (‘madaris’) across Punjab are being de-sealed after completing necessary verifications. The provincial Government directed the relevant stakeholders that accurate data of all Afghan residents in Punjab must be compiled and presented. It highlighted that responsible individuals must be held accountable, whereas no innocent person should be wrongfully targeted or apprehended.
On Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s special directions, Lahore Highway Division expedited patchwork and maintenance of all major roads in Raiwind and surrounding areas leading to Raiwind ‘Tablighi Markaz’ in order to facilitate participants to attend Annual Tablighi Ijtima in Raiwind.
Authorities concerned briefed Chief Minister Punjab that 13 projects worth Rs. 5.68 billion covering 70 kilometers of roads have been successfully completed, whereas Punjab government has earned savings of Rs. 600 million through transparent tendering. They said that 04 key connecting roads in Raiwind have been fully repaired, potholes have been filled, shoulder roads have been repaired and road markings have been renewed, giving the entire area a revitalized and illuminated look ahead of Annual Tablighi Ijtima’.
They added that on Sundar- Raiwind Road till Ijtema Chowk, patchwork, shoulder dressing and lane marking have been completed. Similarly, Mian Ji Abdullah Road and 2-kilometer Sundar to Markaz Road have undergone full rehabilitation and patch work. 11-kilometer stretch from Pajian Bypass to Bachoki Phatak has also been repaired with newly built shoulder roads. A 2.5-kilometer section of Railway Road has also been reconstructed to provide smooth travel facilities to the participants to attend Tablighi Ijtima’. They highlighted that these 13 infrastructure projects in Raiwind have significantly improved accessibility of thousands of participants attending the annual Tablighi Ijtima’. Development works across Manga Mandi, Lake City, Sue Asal, Jia Baga, Sundar, Mian Ji Abdullah Road, Pajian Bypass and Railway Road have been completed in a record timeframe, ensuring convenience, safety and a better travel experience for all visitors.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed a deep concern over injury of several students in a road accident due to collision between a school bus and a truck near Sheikhupura. She directed the authorities concerned to ensure best medical treatment facilities and care for all the injured students, and sought a detailed report of the tragic incident from District Police Officer (DPO) Sheikhupura.
Chief Minister Punjab said that strict action would be taken against the delinquents for any negligence in making adequate transport arrangements for the safety of students. She reaffirmed that no lapse or carelessness in ensuring safety of children will be tolerated under any circumstance.