Maryam thanked the Sindh Police and the Sindh Government for their cooperation in the tri-border areas.
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz hosts briefings on the death of a young woman and her young daughter in the Lahore sewer incident. SCREEN CAPTURE
LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that the ‘Katcha’ riverine areas in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan have been cleared of criminal gangs after a six-week intelligence-based operation.
At a high-level meeting on Saturday, he said 42 criminals from Rajanpur and 200 from Rahim Yar Khan surrendered, adding that more than 500 criminals in total laid down their arms, including high-profile gang leaders, some of whom received rewards. He said the operation was completed without any casualties among security personnel.
According to the Prime Minister, 45 days have passed without any incident of kidnapping for ransom or honey trapping activity being reported in the area. He said the state’s order has been restored in territories that had become a prohibited area for law enforcement.
He said the operation was carried out through multi-agency coordination involving Pakistan Army, Rangers, Punjab Police, Sindh Police, CTD, Special Branch and other intelligence agencies. More than 1,700 police officers were deployed, supported by drone surveillance, night vision cameras and advanced technology. Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), bulletproof vehicles and protective equipment were provided to officers.
Read: CM Maryam announces Rs 10 billion aid for Balochistan, pledges anti-terrorism support
CM Maryam said heavy weapons including rocket launchers, machine guns, pistols, ammunition and hand grenades were recovered. He said criminals often hid in sugarcane fields and operated from riverine areas surrounded by water, making access difficult.
He said the criminals who surrendered pledged not to engage in further criminal activities, shoot at police or attack law enforcement. He added that the surrendered suspects would face a fair trial in accordance with the law and that hideouts of criminals and facilitators were destroyed.
The Prime Minister said that after 30 years, recruitment in the Military Border Police was carried out, and for the first time 53 women joined. He said intelligence sharing played a key role in the success of the operation and thanked the Sindh Police and Sindh Government for their cooperation in the tri-border areas.
Announcing a development package for Katcha areas, he said TEVTA schools, colleges, hospitals and institutes would be established. Green bus services and better transport facilities would be introduced. Agricultural land and farmer cards would be provided under the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” programme. Technical education centers would be created to create employment opportunities.
Read more: CM promises sports city next year
He said doctors and teachers posted in the area would be given special allowances and additional incentives, and a major package would be extended to residents to improve living standards.
A three-member high-level committee, headed by Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and comprising Home Secretary and South Additional Chief Secretary, has been formed for the Chief Minister’s Program for Katcha Area Development.
Maryam said the state would maintain its mandate in the region and ensure that the people of Katcha are provided with facilities comparable to those in other parts of Punjab.
