LAHORE, Pakistan: A total of 48,617 cases have been registered while 53,151 accused have been arrested for various offenses in Punjab till November 11, 2015 under the National Action Plan (NAP).
In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesman for the Punjab government said that the provincial government has adopted immediate and effective measures to ensure implementation of the NAP.
The spokesman said that since the adoption of NAP till November 11, a vigorous action was taken in Punjab during which 48,617 cases were registered while 53,151 accused were arrested for various offenses including hate speech, wall chalking, display of arms and other offenses under the newly promulgated laws.
The Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been holding regular meetings of the Apex Committee and issuing orders for necessary measures besides reviewing law and order situation in this regard, he added.
The spokesman asserted that measures taken by the Punjab government under the NAP were yielding highly positive results which was manifest in the improvement of law and order situation in the province.
Recently, the Punjab government issued guidelines under the NAP for maintenance of peace and order during Muharram-ul-Haram. Threat perception issued by the Home Department noted that with the commencement of the military operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing the NAP has badly affected militants activities to carry out terrorist activities.
During Muharram procession and majalis, the Punjab government issued strict instructions regarding supervision by the local administration, police, while local elected representatives accompanied the main processions and were present at sensitive points.
During Muharram, the Punjab government strictly enforced the ban on all objectionable hate material, speeches, gagging fire brand speakers, removal of objectionable wall-chalking, posters and banners.
The Punjab government spokesman emphasized that the whole nation was united in the effort to rid the country of extremism, intolerance and terrorism under the NAP.
The Punjab government realizes that effective implementation of the National Action Plan was highly essential for survival of the country to ensure stability and prosperity of the nation.
Source: APP/DND