Punjab Government Vows to Maintain Law and Order Amidst Political Tensions

Islamabad:Punjab’s Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, has firmly stated that the government will not allow any chaos or violence under the guise of political gatherings. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari emphasized that the province will not tolerate hooliganism, thuggery, or terrorism.

She warned that any attempts to take the law into one’s own hands would be met with strict action. Bukhari accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur of attempting to incite unrest with a large gathering, which allegedly resulted in 25 police officers being injured from glass fragments thrown by his private security force.

Bukhari placed the responsibility for the recent disturbances squarely on Gandapur, asserting that his actions could sabotage the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organization conference. She reiterated that Section 144 is in effect in Rawalpindi, prohibiting any protests that disrupt public order.

The Minister stressed that Punjab is not lawless, urging PTI members to protest in their own province instead of creating chaos in Punjab. She further criticized Gandapur’s attempts to disrupt law and order, asserting that Punjab’s development would not be undermined by such actions.

Bukhari also highlighted the ongoing issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pointing out that educational institutions there are facing severe cuts and thousands of job vacancies remain unfilled, while Punjab continues to build new schools and hire staff.

In closing, she condemned a recent tragic incident in Balochistan and reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicate terrorism, warning against any attempts to incite conflict between the people of Balochistan and Punjab.