LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Tuesday said that the dream of economic progress could not be realised without maintaining peace in the society.

He said this while presiding over a meeting to review law and order situation in the province here. The pace of investigation into Anarkali Food Street bomb blast and overall law and order situation were discussed in the meeting.

The chief minister said that Pakistan was passing through a critical phase and facing the scourge of terrorism. However, he said, living nations counter all challenges with courage and determination and the same spirit will have to be adopted to put the country on road to progress and development.

He said that no effort would be spared for the protection of life and property of the citizens and law enforcement agencies would have to perform their responsibilities with efficiency.

Shahbaz Sharif said that nothing could be more important than maintenance of law and order and the menace of terrorism will have to be rooted out for progress and development of the country.

He directed that law enforcement agencies must be on the same page to meet any emergency, adding police should remain fully alert to provide security cover to the masses and foolproof security arrangements should be ensured during Ramzan.

The chief minister said that special arrangements should be made for security in Ramazan bazaars as well as at Nimaz-e-Taraveeh and Fajr.

Shahbaz said that a vigorous media campaign should be launched for promoting awareness in the people about maintaining a watchful eye on suspicious elements and their surroundings and a plan should be evolved for this purpose.

The chief secretary and home secretary gave a detailed briefing regarding overall security situation in the province while the CCPO Lahore informed about the pace of investigation into Anarkali Food Street incident.