LAHORE: Punjab Home Minister Shaukat Javed has disclosed that the caretakerprovincial government in the wake of suicide attacks at KP and Quetta hastaken foolproof stringent measures on war footings to upgrade securityprotocol of all top political leadership including PTI chief Imran Khan,Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto and President PML-N Shahbaz Sharif in par withprime minister during election campaigns in the province.
Talking to media, at his office here on Tuesday, Shaukat Javed ensured thatthe electoral candidates and leadership of entire political parties will beprovided proper security cover during their electioneering. He made itcrystal clear that there is no compromise on law, order and security of thepolitical leadership.
He was of the opinion that it is the responsibility of the Punjabgovernment to not only arrange for fair, free and impartial elections butalso to provide security to all participating in the upcoming polls.
The home minister Punjab said that foolproof security will be exclusivelyprovided to those candidates or political leaders of major politicalparties; having serious life threats.
He further said that it is the responsibility of the interim provincialgovernment to offer the voters with a peaceful, conducive and favorableenvironment on the polling day. He said that it will be ensured that boththeir lives and property be protected by all means and at every cost.
Responding to a question, Shaukat Javed said the Punjab government’s July13 security plan was made on merit to avoid any untoward incident in Lahoreon the eve of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrival at airport andcriticism from different corners of the society against Punjab governmentis clubbed with vested interest and unwarranted as well as unjust.
“our prime responsibility is to protect the lives and properties of thecommon people and we were succeeded to do this by the grace of Allah,” headded.
Shaukat Javed said about 143 PML-N workers were detained lawfully by thecompetent authority on July 13 and all of them were released immediately assoon as Nawaz Sharif was taken to Islamabad.
He said that the caretaker government had no plan to detain any politicalworker unlawfully, adding that action would only be taken against those whowould violate rules and laws.
It is wrong notion that the interim government is targeting one or anotherspecific political party, we are not victimizing anyone as our primeresponsibility is to conduct fair and transparent elections giving levelplaying field to all candidates without any discrimination, he added.
The home minister said our all activities are neutral and impartial inregard of conducting elections. However, he said our government willutilize all available resources to implement Election Commission’s Code ofConduct with its true letter and spirit and anyone involved inthe violation of the code of conduct will be strictly handled.
He said the interim government has taken legal actions against as many as52 PTI candidates for violating election’s code of conduct whereas 48candidates hailing from PML-N were charged with violation of the code ofconduct while 3 from PPP and 73 from other political parties were booked inthis regard.
The good quality CCTV cameras should be used in a professional manner anddirected that there should be no complaint regarding any malfunctioning.
He said the security plan for rallies and public gatherings should bestrictly implemented and the system of intelligence-sharing should be mademore effective, and political parties should avoid confrontation andclashes, and keep the general environment peaceful.