ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to himself monitor and deal with the arrival of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Allama Tahirul Qadri in Pakistan and take strict action against all those found responsible for Model Town Lahore incident.
Sources aware of the deliberations of a high-level meeting held under the chair of prime minister here on Thursday, said the party leadership was disturbed over what they agreed the mishandling of the Model Town issue which resulted in the loss of around a dozen people.
The party leaders also discussed the ways to pacify the public anger and it was decided that all those found responsible for the incident would be dealt with under the law. The party leadership expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of human lives.
Sources said that it was decided in the meeting that Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif would himself monitor and tackle Allama Tahirul Qadri’s arrival at Islamabad Airport on 23rd of this month and his planned march to Lahore from here via GT Road leading a public rally. Sources informed that it was decided to become softer on PAT rally and that the participants of the rally would be facilitated, as long as they would remain peaceful.
At the outset of the meeting, CM Shahbaz briefed the participants on the Model Town incident and informed Premier Nawaz that a judicial commission has started work and he assured them that severe action would be taken against the responsible. Sources said the PM was much disturbed over the killing of innocent people and he directed his brother chief minister to bring the culprits of the incident to book. He said no compromise on justice would be made.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Parvaiz Rashid, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Saad Rafiq and SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch were also in attendance. Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan was conspicuous by his absence, perhaps due to his illness as doctors has advised him complete rest. However, ignoring this advice, Nisar went to Lahore a couple of days back to give his input in devising strategy to handle the ugly situation created by the police.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing military operation in Waziristan Agency and it was the consensus view of all that the operational success in Waziristan is linked with national unity, peace and stability and there is a need to extend full support to armed forces. The prime minister said that Pakistan is fighting a defining battle in the nation’s history and terrorists will be defeated.
It was also agreed that all possible resources would be allocated to look after the IDPs (internally displaced persons) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PM Nawaz Sharif said that government would extend full support to the IDPs. He the IDPs from North Waziristan would be provided with every facility in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.