Lahore: United States Consul General (CG) Stetson Sanders, along with a delegation, called on Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi on Friday at his office, to discuss law and order situation in province and matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting, the home secretary said that the Punjab government was making the province safer through the use of modern technology and advanced technical training. He added that the capacity of law enforcement agencies was being enhanced to maintain a peaceful environment.
The home secretary informed the US consul general that 14 modern inter-provincial border security check posts were under various stages of completion. He said that the protection and welfare of vulnerable segments of society was a top priority of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Under the chief minister’s directions, a programme had been launched to provide a monthly honorarium of Rs. 25,000 to mosque imams at a cost of Rs20 billion.
Dr Ahmed said that under the jail reforms agenda, steps were being taken for the rehabilitation of prisoners by providing them with technical training to enable them to become economically self-reliant and productive members of society. He further said that the Civil Defence Resilience Corps had been reorganised on modern lines in line with contemporary requirements, adding that registration of more than 300,000 volunteers had been completed and training was underway across all districts.
The home secretary said that the Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism was actively working to prevent extremism in Punjab, while public awareness campaigns were being strengthened to ensure effective implementation of laws. He added that alongside national security, the government was also focusing on the protection and welfare of innocent children.
US Consul General Stetson Sanders expressed pleasure over his visit to Lahore and said that both countries would explore further opportunities for cooperation in the future for mutual security. During his visit to the Home Department, the CG was also shown high-quality products prepared by prisoners in various jails of Punjab.
The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Home Fazal-Ur-Rehman, Additional Secretary Home Asma Ejaz Cheema, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana, Additional Secretary Internal Security Maham Asif Malik, Inspector General of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Director General Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority Dr Tallat Naseer Pasha, and Director Public Relations Tauseef Sabih Gondal.