By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: US Consul General Stetson Sanders met Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi at the Punjab Home Department to discuss the law and order situation, the professional capacity of security institutions and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi said the Punjab government was taking measures to improve public safety through modern technology, specialised training and enhanced law enforcement capabilities.

He informed the delegation that 14 modern check posts were being established to strengthen security along inter-provincial borders. He added that protecting vulnerable segments of society remained a top priority of the Punjab chief minister.

The Home Secretary said the provincial government was implementing the Imam Masjid Sahibaan Honorarium Programme, under which approximately 70,000 mosque prayer leaders were receiving a monthly honorarium of Rs25,000, supported by an annual allocation of Rs20 billion.

He also highlighted government initiatives aimed at protecting children and promoting their welfare alongside broader security measures.

Briefing the delegation on prison reforms, Dr. Qazi said the provincial government was working to improve the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners under the chief minister’s prison reform agenda. Inmates were being provided with technical training to help them achieve economic independence and become productive members of society after their release.

He further informed the delegation that a second group of parole and prison officers was preparing to visit the United States for training with the support of the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The Home Secretary also described the Punjab Science Enclave as a flagship provincial project completed at a cost of billions of rupees. He said the Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism was actively working to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism.

Discussing environmental awareness, Dr. Qazi highlighted public campaigns aimed at combating smog and promoting the safe disposal of crop residue.

He also said the Punjab government had imposed a ban on the use and sale of hidden recording devices and spy gadgets to protect citizens’ privacy.

Regarding civil defence preparedness, he said the Civil Defence Resilience Corps had been modernised to meet contemporary requirements. Approximately 400,000 volunteers had been registered, while their training was underway.

US Consul General Stetson Sanders said the two countries would explore further opportunities for cooperation to advance their shared security objectives.

Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, former Director General of the Probation and Parole Service Shahid Iqbal, and Additional Secretary Internal Security Javeria Maqbool also attended the meeting.