Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday rejected media reports claiming the provincial government had announced a cash reward for reporting illegal Afghan residents. She said Punjab had only launched a whistleblower mechanism that helps authorities receive authentic information.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bokhari stated that significant enforcement had taken place across Punjab regarding the ban on loudspeakers. She reiterated that loudspeakers may only be used for the call to prayer and Friday sermons. She added that peaceful clerics were cooperating with the government to strengthen security.
Bokhari said Punjab’s law and order situation had improved and urged other provinces to boost their security measures. She warned that terrorists should not be able to flee Punjab and enter other regions. She also claimed that Lahore is “safer and more secure than New York and London.”
The minister demanded the abolition of the All-Pakistan arms licence system, arguing that weapon permits should be valid only within the issuing province. She stated that the Punjab government would bring this issue to the attention of the federal authorities.
Bokhari stressed that all provinces must uniformly implement the federal government’s policy on Afghan residents for it to be effective.
Reports earlier claimed Punjab had launched a major crackdown on illegal Afghan residents and introduced a Rs. 10,000 reward for informants — a claim she strongly denied.
Get the latest news and stories wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.