LAHORE   -   Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday affirmed the protection of Pakistani citizens and foreigners in the country as a paramount state priority. The PM reiterated this commitment while chairing a high-level meeting held here on Sunday.

The session, which reviewed ongoing security and law-enforcement projects in Islamabad, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order. The prime minister emphasised that any negligence in safeguarding citizens and upholding the law and order would not be tolerated. He ordered an inquiry into the delays affecting completion of the Islamabad Model Jail and directed that the project be expedited to meet modern standards. Additionally, he mandated the establishment of a professional training institute and hospital within the jail premises.

In his directives, the prime minister called for consultations with Chinese experts to form the Special Protection Unit in the capital. He also stressed the need for a state-of-the-art forensic lab as part of the Islamabad Safe City initiative. He highlighted the importance of merit-based recruitment and the adoption of advanced technologies across all security projects in Islamabad to align with international standards.

The meeting featured comprehensive briefings on various aspects of Islamabad’s security infrastructure, including the Islamabad Model Jail, Islamabad Safe City, the Federal Counter Terrorism Department, and the Special Protection Unit. Updates were also provided on the Islamabad National Facilitation Centres and the K-9 Unit, aimed at enhancing detection of narcotics and explosives.

Attendees included Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Deputy Chairman of Planning Jehanzeb Khan, federal secretaries, and senior officials from the relevant institutions.

Taking up the same issue, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi the other day also said there was no room for any kind of negligence in the implementation of the security plan for the protection of foreigners, especially Chinese citizens working in Pakistan.

Naqvi directed that the security plan’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be implemented in letter and spirit, and regular monitoring should be carried out at all levels. He also stressed that relevant agencies must remain in close contact to thwart the nefarious designs of the anti-state elements.

The Ministry of Interior and relevant agencies gave a detailed briefing regarding the security plan and the overall situation of law and order in the country.