LAHORE: The Punjab apex committee decided on Thursday to ‘completely ban’ collection of Zakat and Fitrana by banned outfits.

It was the sixth meeting of the committee and it continued for more than three and a half hours with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the chair.

Corps Commander Lahore Lt Gen Naveed Zaman, Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, Director General Punjab Rangers Maj Gen Umer Farooq Barki, General Officer Commanding 10-Div Maj Gen Sardar Tariq Aman, chief secretary, Inspector General of Punjab Police, home secretary and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.

The meeting decided to impose complete ban on the collection of Zakat and Fitrana by the banned organisations and monitor and control their other activities.

Analysts say that such decisions taken in the past had remained unimplemented.

The meeting decided to take more effective steps for the implementation of the National Action Plan. The committee expressed determination for elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.

It was also decided that indiscriminate crackdown would be carried out against terrorists and facilitators of extremists as well as those providing them financial assistance.

The meeting was told that consignment of electronic devices had reached here from abroad. These devices would be attached to the ankles of those included in the Fourth Schedule of the anti-terrorism law. The devices are being tested and law-enforcement agencies personnel are being trained how to use it.

The committee was told that some biometric machines had reached which would be used for checking particulars of citizens during operations, particularly in Afghan settlements.

The chief minister said the government had taken effective measures for the elimination of terrorism. He said a counter-terrorism force had been set up in the province and it had been imparted modern training.

He said the ban on wall-chalking, use of loudspeakers, provocative speeches and publication and distribution of hate literature was being strictly implemented and punishments had been increased for these offences through legislation.

Lt Gen Zaman pledged to continue indiscriminate action against terrorists, their facilitators and those providing them financial assistance.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the measures taken in the province under the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism and the performance of Punjab government and law-enforcement agencies during recent operations against terrorists and their facilitators was appreciated.

Shahbaz Sharif said that NAP reflected the national determination for eradication of terrorism.

He said that federal and provincial governments were taking action under the NAP with complete coordination.

He said successful operation of Pakistan Army against terrorists was continuing with full force and the enemies of the country were being brought to justice through the Zarb-i-Azb military operation.

He said that besides officers and jawans of Pakistan Army, police, security institutions, all segments of society, including children, had rendered sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

Earlier, the corps commander met the chief minister and discussed professional matters and the steps taken under the NAP.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2015

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