Punjab cabinet panel approves banning of TJP

LAHORE: The Standing Committee on Law and Order of Punjab Cabinet Friday approved banning of “Tehreek Jihad Pakistan” involved in the attack on Mianwali Airbase and other terrorist activities.

Additional IG (CTD) briefed the standing committee Tehreek Jihad Pakistan (TJP) was involved in terrorist activities with the help of TTP. “The party should be countered and banned under Terrorism Act 1997”, he said.

Provincial Education Minister Mansoor Qadir presided the meeting of standing committee.

The committee, approving this, directed Punjab Home Department to ask Federal Interior Ministry to take immediate steps as per the recommendations to declare the said party outlawed.

The committee did not approve imposition of Section 144 to ban use of drone cameras on the occasion of elections. The committee said this may make it difficult for the media to cover the elections.

The committee okayed provision of vehicles by the deputy commissioners to Pakistan Army as required on the elections and release of additional funds in this regard.

Due to absence of two ministers, Amir Mir and Dr Javed Akram, in the meeting, the internal security report for actions on the events of May 9 and the persons involved could not be approved. The report would be presented in the anti-terrorism courts after approval.

This report will be placed again in the next session of the committee by the Home Department.

The cabinet committee also approved deployment of Rangers at Rafiqui Airbase Shore Kot as per security requirements.