Special cell in Punjab to deal with extremists, illegal foreigners

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday chaired a special meeting on law and order situation in the province, which approved establishment of a special cell in 15 helpline so that people can share information about the extremist organisation — TLP — and foreign nationals, especially Afghans, residing illegally in Pakistan.

The move comes as the Punjab government has already asked the Centre to ban the TLP while a recent meeting in Islamabad decided only those Afghan nationals, who hold valid visas, would be allowed to stay with the rest to be repatriated swiftly.

Read more: Afghan nationals without visas to be sent home immediately

And the Wednesday’s meeting also decided to ensure strict enforcement of the The Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act, commonly known as the Loudspeaker Act, so that hate speech and the practice of inciting people to violence could be arrested.

However, the Punjab government made it clear that the ongoing combing operations and other actions were aimed at specific extremist mindset, not some particular sect or belief.

People are praising Maryam for the bold stance she has taken against the TLP as Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday said the government would take against all the financers of the extremist group.

Read more: Ministers say violence won’t be tolerated, TLP will face action

Other decisions against the extremist group include a blanket ban on placards, pictures and advertisements, registration of cases under PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) against those hate material on social media and slapping ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act) in case of illegal gatherings and forcing the traders to close markets.

NO ILLEGAL WEAPONS, MAFIA CUTLRUE, ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS

The Maryam-led Punjab has also decided to go after the illegal arms that produce the mafia culture as well as practice of creating fear among the population.

In this connection, peace committees would be made more active in each of the 36 districts in Punjab. Officials are tasked keeping these committees onboard about the operations.

Meanwhile, the district administrations will share the details of combing operations to hunt the Afghan nationals and other illegal foreigners as the details of the professions they are associated with.

On the other hand, the government has against warned the people against renting residential or commercial properties to illegal foreigners; otherwise, they would face strict action.