Punjab govt reaffirms commitment to counter extremism

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Apr, 2026) Punjab Secretary Home Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi met members of civil society and discussed

joint national resolve against extremism, promotion of social cohesion and harmony.

According to Home Department spokesman, the meeting emphasised strengthening partnership between the government and civil society, public welfare, youth development and awareness programmes.

The session was jointly organised by the Punjab Charities Commission and the Punjab Centre of Excellence

on Countering Violent Extremism (CoE-CVE).

Speaking on the occasion, the secretary Home said that establishment of a peaceful and harmonious society remained the top priority of the Punjab government. He added that efforts were underway to eliminate extremism and promote tolerance in society.

The secretary said a comprehensive awareness campaign was being carried out for child protection and prevention of sexual abuse. Strict action was also being taken against organised and professional beggar mafia by bringing them under the law.

Dr Ahmad said the Punjab Probation and Parole system had been upgraded and a community service model introduced for accidental offenders. He added that thousands of young volunteers had been trained under the Punjab Civil Defence Resilience Corps.

He further said Safe City infrastructure was being expanded across Punjab and a public safety app had been developed to ensure a quick response mechanism. The government, he added, was continuing effective implementation of the revised National Action Plan.

Highlighting anti-narcotics measures, he said strict laws had been enforced in Punjab with penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment and heavy fines, particularly for drug use and sale near educational institutions.

Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi urged all segments of society to play their role in making the province drug-free, adding that religious scholars and mosque leaders had also been engaged by the government to promote peace, tolerance and counter extremism.

The meeting was attended by Chief Coordination Officer CoE-CVE Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, CCO Punjab Charities Commission Colonel Shahzad Aamir, DCO Dr Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari and others.

Civil society participants included Salman Abid, Dr Izhar Hashmi, Dr Farhan, Syed Kausar Abbas, Shahbaz Barga, Sheeza Qureshi, Sujawal Waseem, Azhar Shujaat, Nosheen Khalid, Bushra, Umm-e-Laila Azhar, Qasim Mumtaz, Bela Raza, Ubaid Ali and others.