LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday chaired a meeting of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, attended by prominent religious scholars from all schools of thought and leaders of minority communities.
The committee lauded the chief minister for what it described as exemplary arrangements during Muharram and expressed appreciation for the Punjab government’s initiatives for religious scholars, observance of Eid, Muharram and minority festivals. It paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements and the success of Marka-e-Haq, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting social harmony, religious tolerance and interfaith cohesion.
Addressing the meeting, Maryam said the role of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee in countering terrorism and extremism was commendable, adding that the participation of leading religious scholars and minority representatives reflected unity and confidence. She said the minorities in Punjab enjoyed a sense of security due to the provincial government’s policies and stressed that no discrimination was being practised against them. She maintained that provincial laws were enforced strictly against criminals, not ordinary citizens, and that preventing violations of law was essential to safeguarding all schools of thought. She praised Home Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Provincial Ministers Bilal Yasin and Shafay Hussain, the inspector general of police, the home secretary and other officials for their efforts in maintaining law and order.
She said reforms beyond the existing legal framework had been introduced in the prison system. Referring to Muharram security arrangements, she paid tribute to Punjab Police personnel for performing duties for up to 18 hours in extreme heat, saying that their commitment reflected exemplary professionalism. She emphasised that coordinated standard operating procedures and guidelines should govern the observance of religious rituals. She said Pakistan was proud of the success achieved under the leadership of its civil and military authorities during Marka-e-Haq, adding that the country earned prestige internationally during Iran-US tensions. She credited the political and military leadership as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for enhancing Pakistan’s standing on the global stage. She warned that the country faced both visible and invisible enemies, saying that the latter spread negative narratives through society. She urged all stakeholders to collectively counter hate campaigns and misinformation.
Expressing grief over the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Sargodha, she said police had traced and arrested the suspect through forensic evidence. She said she personally took immediate notice of cases involving violence against women and children and would not rest until the accused were arrested. She claimed that crime had declined significantly in Punjab due to strict monitoring and administrative measures. Ensuring the protection of citizens, their children and businesses was her foremost responsibility. She would consider herself unsuccessful if public safety is compromised. She reaffirmed her commitment to fulfilling her constitutional and humanitarian responsibilities throughout her tenure.
The chief minister urged parents not to leave children unattended near canals during the summer and warned of strict action against those stealing manhole covers, saying that innocent lives would not be put at risk. She advised parents not to send girls alone to tuition centres or places where their safety could be endangered. She said drug trafficking, including smuggling through drones, had become widespread, but the government had taken effective measures to curb the menace. She expressed concern over corporal punishment in educational institutions and domestic violence. Calling for a greater role of mosques and religious platforms in public awareness, she said the pulpit and apse (minbar-o-mehrab) must play a more effective role in social reform. She urged religious scholars to help eliminate sectarianism, hatred and character assassination and promote peace and tolerance across the province. Highlighting Muharram arrangements, the chief minister said comprehensive security measures had been put in place for processions and gatherings. She said deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners remained in the field despite extreme weather, while the “Suthra Punjab” campaign ensured cleanliness of procession routes, sprinkling of rose-scented water, use of smog guns and sprinklers to reduce heat, and provision of mobile Sabeels, mobile lighting, langar and medical camps through Clinics on Wheels. Provincial ministers also remained in the field to supervise security and administrative arrangements. She said Eidul Azha sanitation arrangements were the best in the province’s history, adding that the government accorded equal respect to Eid, Muharram, Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH), Christmas, Holi, Baisakhi and Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary.
She maintained that no political or religious discrimination existed in any provincial welfare scheme and that protecting minority rights was in accordance with the teachings of the holy prophet (PBUH). She announced that preparations and celebrations for Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) would commence immediately. She said upgradation and expansion work was underway at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) in Lahore, similar development was continuing at the shrine of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masood Ganj Shakar (RA) in Pakpattan, while revamping of the shrine of Bibi Pak Daman (RA) had been completed to facilitate visitors. She urged citizens to report hate material circulating on social media and said action would be taken against those spreading hatred and division online.
Concluding her address, she prayed for Pakistan’s continued progress, prosperity and dignity. Representatives of all schools of thought and minority communities jointly reaffirmed their support for the government’s peace and harmony agenda. They praised the foolproof Muharram arrangements, including security, medical camps, drinking water facilities and sanitation services, and appreciated the round-the-clock efforts of the cleanliness staff.
The committee also commended the prime minister and the military leadership for their efforts to promote peace in the region during tensions involving the United States and Iran, saying that these initiatives had enhanced Pakistan’s international stature. It stressed that the spread of propaganda, hate speech and malicious campaigns on social media must be eliminated completely.
Later, Maryam Nawaz visited Kahna to share the grief of families who lost their children in a recent tuition centre tragedy, met the bereaved parents and expressed condolences. She consoled the grieving families, embraced bereaved mothers and assured them that the Punjab government would provide every possible support. She directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for children injured in the incident.
As part of the provincial government’s relief measures, Maryam handed over compensation cheques of Rs2 million to the families of each deceased child and Rs500,000 for each injured child. Speaking to the affected families, she said the magnitude of the tragedy was beyond words and that no financial compensation could ease the pain of grieving mothers. “There are too few words to express such profound grief. No amount of money can compensate for the tears of bereaved mothers,” she said, adding that the tuition centre should have been evacuated immediately after the first brick fell from the roof. She said the negligence of those responsible would not go unpunished. “I cannot avert the trials decreed by Allah Almighty but will not spare those responsible for negligence,” she said. Expressing empathy with the bereaved families, the chief minister said, “I am a mother myself and fully understand your pain and emotions.”
Describing the loss of innocent children as heartbreaking, Maryam assured the families that they would not be left alone in their hour of grief. “Your children’s loss is my own loss,” she said, reaffirming the Punjab government’s commitment to standing by the affected families and extending every possible assistance.
