Maryam Nawaz vows no space for Punjab land mafias

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said thuggery and land-grabbing mafias would not be tolerated in Punjab and that no space would be left for such groups in the province.

According to Express News, she made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the provincial apex committee in Lahore to review the overall law and order situation. The meeting expressed satisfaction over coordination among security institutions and called the establishment of an artificial intelligence hub an important step for timely information sharing.

Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for its professional capabilities in ongoing operations against terrorists and offered prayers for the martyrs, including Captain Abu Zar Farooq and Lieutenant Sheraz Babar. Lahore Corps Commander was also present and described the performance of institutions as satisfactory.

The committee was briefed on security and development measures in the kacha area. Around 93 social infrastructure projects are being started, smart police stations and check posts will be established, and a steel bridge will be built at a cost of Rs62 crore. Skill development programmes are being launched to create employment for local residents, and the expulsion of illegally residing foreigners is being ensured.

Maryam Nawaz said 718 police employees had been dismissed over corruption, and that the Safe City project had been extended to cover the whole of Punjab. Police personnel are being equipped with body-worn technology, and all necessary resources are being provided to maintain law and order.

She said over Rs30 billion had been allocated for a development package covering health, education and security in the kacha area, and that a major cricket tournament was being held there for the first time. Continuous monitoring and vigilance are under way, she added, and the overall law and order situation in Punjab was encouraging though various operations continue.

The chief minister instructed that no gap should be allowed in security and that pre-emptive measures were necessary. Despite challenges, she said, every possible step was being taken to protect the public, and attention was also focused on shielding people from inflation and economic difficulties.