‘Sudhra Punjab' programme launched: IK's sons will not be allowed to create unrest: Azma
Azma remarked that Jemima has reportedly barred her sons from visiting Pakistan, but a daughter has every right to meet her father.
While addressing at a news conference, here on Thursday, Azma also criticised some YouTubers for promoting an anti-state narrative through vlogs, emphasising that such content harms the country and encourages extremism.
Announcing the launch of the 'Sudhra Punjab' programme following the success of the 'Suthra Punjab' campaign, she said this initiative aims to eradicate crime from the province. Highlighting the performance of the Crime Control Department (CCD), she stated that its efforts have become the centre of attention across social media. Within days, 1,509 wanted criminals were apprehended and 600 missing children were recovered. Crime rates in Lahore have dropped by 68%, and districts like Chakwal, Bhalwal, and Gujrat have reported zero robbery incidents, she claimed.
She explained that CCD is modelled after the US FBI and functions as a provincial agency handling major crimes and complex investigations with an effective strategy. She emphasised the chief minister's clear instructions: no criminal should block the roads of Punjab. All highways have been cleared, and many criminals are now begging for forgiveness on video, swearing on the Quran, she said. 'Those who once roamed as thugs are now seen on camera, apologising,' she remarked. She issued a warning to Kacha area dacoits, stating that the Punjab Police now have modern weapons and strategic capacity. 'They should be concerned for their safety,' she added.
Azma also praised the Punjab government's exemplary and well-coordinated arrangements during Muharram. She said that despite the sensitive global environment, Ashura passed peacefully thanks to a strong strategy, the guidance of religious scholars, and public cooperation. She noted that the atmosphere of religious harmony was commendable, and the nomination of the Chief Minister for an award by scholars is proof of that success.
About recent audit reports, she said that propaganda is being spread about a specific report, which contains 12 questionable paragraphs related to the 2021–2023 period. These involve placing public funds in commercial banks and loans secured against wheat stocks, all of which are tied to the eras of Buzdar, Pervaiz Elahi, and others. These matters have already been transparently resolved under Maryam Nawaz's leadership, she said.
She further announced the provision of transport in all government schools of Punjab. Over 60,000 new jobs have been created in the School Education Department, and more than 90% attendance has been recorded in outsourced schools. Teacher numbers have increased by 114%.
Under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' initiative, she said, loans for 50,000 houses have already been issued. The KP government has now adopted this model. Punjab allocated Rs 50 billion for the Ehsaas Ghar Program, while KP allocated only Rs. 4 billion. The launch of the Haari Card following the Kisan Card in Sindh was also appreciated.
Speaking about monsoon preparedness, she said that both district and provincial administrations are fully active. Dozens of water tanks have been installed across Lahore, and drainage work is ongoing.
She stressed that every step taken by the Punjab government is for transparency, the rule of law, and public service. 'There is no space for gangsters or pseudo-intellectuals in the vision of a 'Sudhra Punjab,' she asserted.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab minister steps up criticism of PTI
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, has said that the nation will celebrate Independence Day on August 14 with great fervour and will also mark the success of Operation Bunyan Marsoos; meanwhile, a disruptive faction is conspiring to create unrest on this national occasion, she said. Azma Bokhari expressed her dismay that certain political elements try to politicise every national event. 'Protesting on a national day is not the agenda of any patriotic political party,' she said, adding, 'This is the same group that emerged from the 2014 sit-ins and has since made agitation and protests their hobby.' She emphasised that PTI has no regard for national or religious events, as their politics revolves solely around creating division and chaos. Issuing a strong warning, Bokhari said that the law will take its course if anyone attempts to take the law into their own hands. 'Even on August 5, no significant protest was seen in Punjab — and the same will happen again,' she asserted. 'The people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are now fed up with PTI's toxic politics, she said.' Advising the PTI leadership, she urged them to call off their planned protest on August 14, saying: Show patriotism for once — if there's any sense of Pakistani identity and humanity left. In a sharp critique, she remarked that the group blindly following Prisoner No. 420 has reached the pinnacle of ignorance. But the nation has seen through their agenda and has rejected their brand of politics, she added. Azma concluded by saying that no anarchist group will be allowed to sabotage the nation's celebrations. On August 14, the message of a peaceful and united Pakistan will echo across the country — and once again, those sowing discord will face failure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Trump says he will take control of DC police, deploy National Guard to US capital
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Monday he was deploying 800 National Guard troops to the U.S. capital and putting Washington's police department under federal control to combat what he said was a wave of lawlessness, despite statistics showing that violent crime hit a 30-year low in 2024. 'I'm deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C.,' Trump told reporters at the White House, flanked by administration officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.' Trump's announcement is his latest effort to target Democratic-run cities by exercising executive power over traditionally local matters, and he has shown particular interest in asserting more control over Washington. The Republican president has dismissed criticism that he is manufacturing a crisis to justify expanding presidential authority in a heavily Democratic city. Hundreds of officers and agents from over a dozen federal agencies, including the FBI, ICE, DEA and ATF, have fanned out across the city in recent days. Trump said he would also send in the U.S. military 'if needed,' and Hegseth said he was prepared to call in additional National Guard troops from outside Washington. Bondi will oversee the police force takeover, Trump said. Trump vows to evict homeless from Washington, official says National Guard may be deployed In making his announcement, Trump described Washington as a hellscape of bloodthirsty criminals and unchecked violence. The Democratic mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, has pushed back on Trump's claims, saying the city is 'not experiencing a crime spike' and highlighting that violent crime hit its lowest level in more than three decades last year. Violent crime fell 26% in the first seven months of 2025 after dropping 35% in 2024, and overall crime dropped 7%, according to the city's police department. Trump ramps up rhetoric Over the past week, Trump has intensified his messaging, suggesting he might attempt to strip the city of its local autonomy and implement a full federal takeover. The District of Columbia, established in 1790, operates under the Home Rule Act, which gives Congress ultimate authority but allows residents to elect a mayor and city council. Trump said last week that lawyers are examining how to overturn the law, a move that would likely require Congress to revoke it. 'Special conditions' In taking over the Metropolitan Police Department, Trump invoked a section of the act that allows the president to use the force temporarily when 'special conditions of an emergency nature' exist. Trump said he was declaring a 'public safety emergency' in the city. Trump's own Federal Emergency Management Agency is cutting security funding for the National Capital Region, an area that includes D.C. and nearby cities in Maryland and Virginia. The region will receive $20 million less this year from the federal urban security fund, amounting to a 44% year-on-year cut. The deployment of National Guard troops is a tactic the president used in Los Angeles, where he dispatched 5,000 troops in June in response to protests over his administration's immigration raids. State and local officials objected to Trump's decision as unnecessary and inflammatory. A federal trial was set to begin on Monday in San Francisco on whether the Trump administration violated U.S. law by deploying National Guard troops and U.S. Marines without the approval of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The president has broad authority over the 2,700 members of the D.C. National Guard, unlike in states where governors typically hold the power to activate troops. Guard troops have been dispatched to Washington many times, including in response to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. During his first term as president, Trump sent the National Guard into Washington in 2020 to help quash mostly peaceful demonstrations during nationwide protests over police brutality following the murder of George Floyd. Civil rights leaders denounced the deployment, which was opposed by Bowser. The U.S. military is generally prohibited under law from directly participating in domestic law enforcement activities. Since the 1980s, Trump has used crime, especially youth crime in cities, as a political tool. His 1989 call for the death penalty in the Central Park jogger case, involving five Black and Latino teens later exonerated of raping and beating a woman, remains among the controversial moments of his public life. The 'Central Park Five' sued Trump for defamation after he falsely said during a presidential debate last year that they had pleaded guilty.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Two gang-rape suspects killed
Two men suspected in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl were killed during a police encounter in Manga Mandi. According to police sources, the Crime Control Department (CCD) received information about the whereabouts of the suspects. Inspector Shabbir and his team conducted a raid in Manga Mandi to arrest them. Upon seeing the police, the suspects opened fire. During the ensuing gunfight, the two suspects identified as Shoaib and Zubair were killed allegedly by gunfire from their accomplices, the police sources said. The bodies of both suspects were shifted to a morgue for post-mortem examination. During the exchange of fire, Head Constable Inamdaar was shot in the chest by the suspects. However, he escaped serious injury due to his bulletproof vest. The gang-rape victim is under treatment in a hospital. A First Information Report (FIR) regarding the assault had been registered at the Manga Mandi police station. In another development, Race Course Women Police arrested two suspects, identified as Fazal and Abdullah, for allegedly assaulting a minor girl in Rajgarh. The case had bene registered at the Race Course Women Police Station. As per the complaint, the suspects, who are relatives of the victim, had allegedly taken advantage of the absence of her family to molest her several times. They reportedly threatened to kill the victim if she disclosed the assaults. Civil Lines Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Asar Ali said the arrested suspects had been handed over to the anti-gender-based crime cell for investigation.
