- CM visits Kasur, assures Zainab’s family of swift provision of justice
- Directs legal action against police officials who killed two protesters; announces Rs 3m for families as compensation
In a bid to improve law and order situation in Kasur district, especially to prevent paedophilia, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed for installation of CCTV cameras [on the model of Safe City Authority in Lahore] in different areas of the city that will be connected to an Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre.
Following his Thursday morning condolence visit to the residence of Zainab—a child that was raped and killed— in Kasur, the chief minister chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order to review the rising incident of child abuse in the province, especially Kasur.
The meeting to present the challan of the case within 24 hours, besides deciding that anybody who helped in identification of the criminal will be awarded 10 million rupees.
Expressing grief over the incidents of killing of Zainab and death of two persons in subsequent protests, the chief minister said that he will not tolerate any delay in the submission of the challan.
Over the course of the meeting, it was also decided that the Punjab government will not leave any stone unturned in the provision of swift justice to the family of Zainab.
Over the killing of two protesters by the police firing, the CM said there was no justification for straight firing by the police officials, while terming the incident an act of cruelty. He enquired where the necessary protective arrangements of the police were, adding: “I issued necessary directions after holding a meeting yesterday [Wednesday] morning but despite that worst negligence has been shown by shooting at the unarmed protesters.”
The chief minister further reprimanded the concerned police officials, saying if necessary arrangements were made on time, the situation wouldn’t have turned out like this. He reiterated that all requirements of justice will be fulfilled in this case as he ordered for a legal action against the officials.
Announcing compensations for the victims of Kasur protests, it was decided that the government will provide financial aid to the heirs of two persons died due to police firing and Rs 3 million will be given to the heirs of each family. Moreover, two persons from the heirs will also be given employment.
CM Shehbaz said: “A high-level JIT (Joint Investigation Team), comprising of civil and army officials, has been constituted to probe the Kasur incident.” He also asked JIT head Abubakar Khuda Bakhsh to stay in Kasur for review the probe into the incident.
The ministers of state Usman Ibrahim and Haji Akram Ansari, Punjab ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayub Gadhi, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home), IG Police and high officers attended the meeting while Provincial Minister Jehangir Khanzada from Attock, RPO Sheikhpura and DC and DPO Kasur participated in the meeting through a video link.
Earlier in the morning, CM Shehbaz called on Zainab’s parents at their residence and expressed deep grief over the incident.
Speaking on the occasion, he said his government will not sit idle till the provision of justice to the victims of such heinous incident.
The CM said: “This atrocious incident is a matter of concern for all of us and I am duty-bound to ensure that justice should be dissipated immediately.”
Assuring the family of full support of the Punjab government, he said the government will provide every possible support to them.
After his visit to the family, the CM issued a statement in which he directed the police officials to arrest the culprit and recommended a severe punishment.