The Punjab government has decided to impose severe punishments on anyone found facilitating or assisting illegally residing foreigners, following a high-level meeting on law and order chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore.
According to a statement released after the meeting, the government has also decided on the strict implementation of the Loudspeaker Act. It was announced that no business, group, or individual would be permitted to use a loudspeaker for any purpose. To enforce this, CCTV cameras and advanced technology will be used to identify and deal with violators.
Authorities plan to tighten the circle around those who break the loudspeaker law and those who support illegal residents.
The crackdown is not just physical; it extends to the digital world. The briefing confirmed that action will be taken under the PECA Act against individuals spreading hate, lies, and incitement on social media. Special units have been activated to monitor hateful content on digital platforms.
The government clarified its stance on religious groups, stating that it will fully support parties that promote religious harmony. It was emphasized that there is no ban on any religious party, except for those with extremist or disruptive ideologies. Other groups are free to continue their activities as long as they follow the code of conduct.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also directed officials to finalize the measures for providing stipends to over 65,000 Imams in the province.
