PESHAWAR, Sept 25: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has directed the law enforcement agencies to take all necessary steps to ensure foolproof security in the provincial metropolis.
Addressing a meeting at his office here on Wednesday, he termed the incident of church attack a national tragedy.
“We can’t afford such incidents anymore because such incidents earn a bad name to our country besides causing loss of precious lives of innocent civilians,” Mr Khattak said.
The meeting reviewed law and order situation in the province with special reference to the tragic incident of Kohati Gate church attack.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan was also present on the occasion.
The chief minister directed the high-ups of police to ensure foolproof security of Peshawar and all the worship places within the shortest possible time.
He stressed the need for taking practical steps to improve coordination amongst all the federal and provincial security and intelligence agencies.
Home Secretary Syed Akhtar Ali Shah and Inspector General of Police Nasir Durrani briefed the participants of the meeting about the steps taken by the provincial government after the church carnage to improve the security of the city.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Senior Provincial Minister Sikandar Sherpao, Chief Secretary Mohammad Shehzad Arbab, Peshawar CCPO Mohammad Ali Babakhel, Peshawar Commissioner Sahibzada Anees and other officials also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, home department has directed the police and intelligence agencies to identify all the soft targets and make crisis management and contingency plans to prevent acts of terrorism.
It said that educational institutions whether religious or others, known as abode of suspects involved in act of terrorism, must be kept under watch.
The community leaders, trade associations and other such representative bodies should be taken into confidence and involved while making security plans.
“In view of the threat perception, it is imperative that besides other necessary steps all the seven divisional commissioners and regional police officers along with intelligence agencies shall make proper crisis management plan,” a statement issued by the department said.
It directed the officials concerned to ensure checking of hotels, inns, parks and bus stands and launch crackdown against terrorists.
