LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said terrorists would be punished at all costs. “Terrorism will be eradicated with the force of unity and Pakistan will be rid of extremists. The sacrifice of Peshawar heroes will bear fruit,” the chief minister said while talking to lawmakers Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and Makhdoom Hashim, who met him Friday.
Shahbaz praised the Army for its pivotal part in war on terror, saying Zarb-e-Azb operation has been on in full swing and the nation is proud of its soldiers. He stressed the need for standing firm against terrorism, saying that there was dire need of staying united and promoting harmony to root out the scourge.
Meanwhile, the CM appreciated his lawmen for foiling terror bid in Gujrat and Gujranwala. “They (the lawmen) have showed courage and took timely action to thwart the evil designs of terrorists. He said that officers and jawans of police and law-enforcement agencies are heroes,” he said in a statement.
Separately, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Air Vice Marshal Ashfaque Arain met the chief minister. Professional affairs of Pakistan Air Force were discussed in the meeting, said a handout.
MQM team raises concerns with CM
MQM Punjab President Mian Atiq led a four-member team at a meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Friday and raised with him the party concerns over the murder of two Mutahidda men in Sialkot and Chiniot. The chief minister told the visiting team that he rang Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and assured him of action over the issue.
Shahbaz announced Rs1milion compensation for the family of deceased Asghar Abbas.
Shahbaz promised that he would personally monitor the progress on the cases and issued directives to police to bring to book the culprits as soon as possible. He also issued directives to form a joint team headed by Provincial Home Minister Shuja Khanzada over the matter. The MQM team leader thanked the chief minister. Other delegates were Sajid Ahmed, Gul Faraz Khattak and Atiq Abbasi.