ISLAMABAD: Although the law-enforcement agencies in Lahore busted a sectarian group this week, it is still not clear if this indicates a change of strategy on the part of Punjab government, which until now has turned a blind eye to militant activity in the province despite worrying reports and assessments.
Senior officials point out that the Punjab government has been “sleeping over” regular reports being sent to them by intelligence agencies about the increasing presence of sleeper cells of proscribed militant organisations.
More than one intelligence official involved in the preparation of these reports told that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were aware of the militant threat present in Punjab, but they were not taking strict measures to counter them.
The threat has now become so serious that on April 12, the chief minister held an emergency meeting at Lahore airport soon after returning from China.
The meeting was held primarily due to the threatening calls received by a Lahore-based businessman. He had been asked to cough up money and in order to prove that the threats were real, cracker bombs had been set off at his home and office.
Pervez Malik, an MNA from the PML-N, was present at the meeting. “Since I am in touch with the Lahore-based business community, I was specially invited to attend the meeting. It is a serious matter.”
However, Mr Malik disagreed with the perception that the Punjab government had been soft on the operatives of banned organisations carrying out militant activities in the province.
“The very fact that the chief minister held a special meeting within minutes of returning to Pakistan shows the seriousness of the provincial government.”
