Punjab CM Usman Buzdar convenes high-level meeting to review security situation

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has convened a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the overall law and order situation in the province, a day after the government decided to treat the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) as a militant outfit.

According to Bol News, the meeting will review all the steps taken for the protection of life and property of the people amid TLP’s protest over the detention of its leader Saad Rizvi. The group is also demanding the expulsion of the French ambassador.

Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary Interior, Principal Secretary to the CM and other concerned officials will brief CM Buzdar over the current security situation of the province in the meeting.

The latest TLP demonstration began on October 22 in the group’s stronghold city of Lahore, from where thousands of people have begun slowly moving towards the capital Islamabad. Clashes between the two sides left two police officers martyred on the first day of protests, while the TLP claimed on October 23 that five of its supporters had died.

At least four police personnel were martyred yesterday, and scores of people were injured as clashes between police and TLP workers intensified on Wednesday.

The situation took an ugly turn soon after the banned outfit announced to continue their march towards Islamabad while demanding the govt to expel the French ambassador and free their detained leader.

Meanwhile, Rangers have been deployed in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province. Police have closed off major roads and junctions leading to the capital.