ISLAMABAD - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Friday called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss various issues including proper enforcement of national internal security policy, assistance of North Waziristan's IDPs and overall political matters.
The meeting of the troika held at the PM House and it discussed the current situation in North Waziristan and measures to deal with possible backlash of militants after the ongoing military operation, sources shared with The Nation.
The matter regarding issuance of funds for National Internal Security Policy (NISP), formulated to protect national interests of Pakistan, came under discussion. The prime minister was thoroughly briefed by the interior minister about the need of the funds to enforce NISP.
The NISP was formulated to protect national interests of Pakistan by addressing critical security issues as well as concerns of the nation.
Apart of from discussing security issues, sources said, they also slightly discussed the mechanism to handle Imran Khan's Azadi March. The meeting discussed in detail the possible security threats in case the Imran Khan-led Azadi March in the federal capital and also how to deal with the protestors approaching the capital city.
The Punjab chief minister presented his assessment and a strategy to handle the marchers while Ch Nisar gave his input and the input by intelligence agency, they said.
Sources said that the meeting also deliberated the proper enforcement of Protection of Pakistan Bill-2014 (PPB, 2014) in different parts of country including Karachi. As the controversial bill has now become act of the parliament after the signature of President Mamnoon Hussian on it. This act, which is implemented for two years in the country, allows a grade-15 police official to shoot suspects on sight.
The issues relating to the situation in North Waziristan and progress of the ongoing military operation were also discussed in the meeting. The CM Punjab informed the PM about the measures taken by Punjab government to facilitate IDPs.
Sources said that the meeting also deliberated the mechanism to start reconstruction and rehabilitation process after the completion of military operation in North Waziristan.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday reviewed the progress of the projects under the Pak-China Economic Corridor, saying these projects will help reduce power outages in the country.
The prime minister was thoroughly briefed by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal about the development projects undertaken under the auspices of Chinese companies. Ahsan Iqbal briefed that all-out efforts will be taken to complete the development projects in the span of 3 years that includes Port Qasim Power Plant of 660-MW, Coal fired Power Plant of 1260-MW in Sahiwal, Wind Power Project of 250-MW in Gharo and 660-MW coal fired project in Thar.
The PM was also told that timely review and time line matrix of the respective projects have been formulated. China and Pakistan are mutually agreed to follow the timeline so that all the projects are completed as soon as possible.
While discussing the Gaddani Power Project, the prime minister directed to expedite the work on Jetty at Gaddani on priority basis.
"These projects will end the loadshedding in Pakistan and bring new industries in the country. China is an earnest trading partner of Pakistan and her cooperation would yield economic benefits in the country," the PM said.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Chinese collaboration in the development projects is a catalyst in expediting the process of development in the country.
The meeting was also attended by Muhammad Ishaq Dar, minister for finance, Khwaja Asif, minister for water and power, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, minister for railways, Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister Punjab, Tariq Fatemi, SAPM on foreign affairs, Nargis Sethi, secretary water & power, Hassan Nawaz Tarar, secretary planning, Saleem Sethi, secretary EAD and Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, secretary communication.