India behind Quetta train incident: Bilal Yasin

Says evacuation of 17,000 illegally residing Afghans from Punjab ensured
By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Bilal Yasin and Azma Bukhari held a joint press conference at the DGPR office in Lahore, where tribute was paid to the martyrs of the Quetta train blast incident.
Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order and Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin stated that hostile neighboring country India was involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. He said security forces had arrested several suspected terrorists during crackdowns conducted in various cities of Punjab. More than 40,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure security for Eid prayers in mosques and open grounds across the province.
He further said the “Suthra Punjab” campaign would be implemented successfully to ensure cleanliness arrangements throughout Punjab. On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, water supply timings are being extended, while 21,000 WASA employees will remain on duty during Eid holidays. Bilal Yasin clarified that leaves of WASA field officers had been cancelled. He added that routes leading to Eid prayer gatherings would be cleaned during development works.
The minister said that on the directions of the Chief Minister, all provincial ministers would remain in the field during the three days of Eid. Monitoring and control rooms are fully functional, while security arrangements have been finalized. Security forces will also remain alert during events marking Youm-e-Takbeer on May 28.
Speaking about the World Urban Forum in Baku, Bilal Yasin said the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” programme had brought pride to Pakistan. He claimed the project had become the world’s fifth-largest housing model, with more than 100,000 houses completed so far. By June 2026, loan approvals would be granted to 160,000 families. He said people who had become homeowners instead of tenants were praying for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Bilal Yasin further stated that the evacuation of 17,000 illegally residing Afghans from Punjab had been ensured. He added that ongoing projects in inner Lahore were being accelerated and aligned with modern requirements. He also praised the efforts of Nawaz Sharif for the restoration of Lahore’s cultural heritage.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said conspiracies originating from the neighboring country and terrorist activities taking place in Pakistan were strongly condemned. She stated that Pakistan’s security forces were fully alert and the enemy would receive a strong response. A comprehensive crackdown against groups involved in terrorist activities was underway, while intelligence-based operations had been intensified. She added that the process of repatriating Afghan refugees was continuing.
Azma Bukhari further said implementation of cleanliness and security plans in cattle markets was being ensured. Measures were also being taken to ensure the safe return of travelers and to address complaints of overcharging. Action was being taken against vehicles lacking fitness certificates and those involved in overloading. Fitness certificates for amusement rides in parks had been made mandatory before Eid al-Adha. She said that on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all departments would carry out administrative affairs through joint coordination.