LAHORE - Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and inquired after the health of police officials and citizens injured in a suicide bomb blast admitted in emergency, operation theatre, ICU and other wards of the hospital. He went to each injured person and prayed for early recovery of the injured persons. Talking to mediamen on this occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said it was very tragic incident in which a number of precious lives were lost. This incident has saddened the whole nation, which is a reaction of operation going against extremists. Officers and Jawans of the armed forces are sacrificing their lives for eliminating extremism and militancy and providing peaceful and comfortable life to people, he said, while adding that they were heroes of the nation and sacrifices of officers and Jawans martyred due to blast would not go waste. Country is facing extremism and lawlessness and we will have to remain united to come out from this crisis. If we want to make the country cradle of peace and materialise the dreams of young generation practically, then all political and religious parties will have to be united on single point agenda for eliminating extremism with full force by setting aside our mutual differences, he opined. He said that all political and religious parties and all segments of the society would have to utilise their all resources for eliminating this menace. If we do not show unity, then God forbid, this fire will spread everywhere as a result of which everything can be destroyed, he added. Replying to a question, Chief Minister said a meeting would be convened on Thursday (today) to reviewing law and order situation, and inquiry of this incident would be conducted in a transparent manner and in case of any negligence, strict action would be taken against them. Replying to another question, he said that there was a need of evolving effective strategy for curbing the terrorism and extremism and law enforcing agencies, para-military forces, politicians and public would have to fulfill their responsibilities. The time has come to inform the nation that from where terrorists are getting resources and modern weapons and the nation has full right to know about it, he said. Chief Minister announced that Rs 3 million would be given to the heirs of each police official martyred in the blast, whereas the government would bear educational expenses of their children. Similarly, Rs three lakh each would be given to the citizens martyred, Rs75,000 each to seriously injured, while Rs.50,000 each to the persons who received minor injuries. The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs. two lakh for a person who lost his eyes and is under-treatment in Ganga Ram Hospital. Replying to a question about Swat affectees, he said that special committee had been constituted for assistance and rehabilitation of these affectees. Those, who have been forced to leave their homes, are Pakistanis and they have every right to go anywhere in Pakistan. The Punjab government has adopted a solid strategy for rehabilitation of these affectees, he said. Meanwhile, on the instructions of CM, Minister Excise and Taxation Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman visited the hospitals and enquired after the health of the injured. Minister Finance Tanvir Ashraf Kaira also visited the Ganga Ram Hospital to enquire after the health of the injured policemen and citizens. He directed the hospital administration for providing free medical facilities to the injured.