LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed authorities to arrest all culprits and attackers behind the vandalism and arson at the Jinnah House and military and civil installations within 72 hours.
The prime minister issued these directives while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore.
“All the culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers involved in the vandalism should be arrested in the next 72 hours,” he said and added, “This is a critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.”
While regretting the destruction of the Safe City Project during PTI govt, the PM Shehbaz Sharif said: “I am deeply disturbed by this situation, and I would like to request the chief minister to take immediate action.”
He also made it clear to [caretaker] Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi that any act of sabotage is unacceptable, and those responsible for genuine wrongdoing will be arrested and brought to court for justice to be served.
“Under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, all ministers worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that everything is provided for the Safe City project success”.
I have given law enforcement apparatus a target of 72 hours to arrest all those involved in facilitating, abetting and perpetrating the disgraceful incidents of arson, ransacking, sabotage & damaging public & private properties. All available resources including technological aid…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 13, 2023
The PM Shehbaz Sharif said that he was told that in the past five years, CCTV cameras ranging from 40 to 60 per cent were found to be non-functional.
“It is incredibly disheartening that the Safe City system, designed to protect citizens, has suffered due to criminal negligence,” he added.
He also directed to enhance the number of anti-terrorism courts in the province where the legal proceedings against all these culprits should commence swiftly.
“It is time to do or die or now or never. The real culprits who showed this kind of enmity against the motherland should be arrested and produced in anti-terrorism courts under the relevant laws. These elements should be arrested immediately,” PM maintained.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif, along with interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, visited the vandalised Lahore Corps Commander House where he extended solidarity with the country’s military leadership.
He later also paid a visit to the Services Hospital to meet with the injured personnel.
