Lahore, September 5, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday warned that the province was facing a greater security threat from neighbouring provinces than from neighbouring countries, as she announced strengthened security measures and vowed to eliminate terrorism and extremism.
Addressing an Artificial Intelligence technology event in Lahore, the chief minister said security threats were emerging from the tri-border area and border regions adjoining other provinces, prompting authorities to strengthen joint checkposts to counter militant activity.
Maryam said there would be no compromise on law and order and that all available resources were being utilised to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the province.
She said security personnel had previously suffered heavy casualties at checkposts, where militants were often equipped with superior weapons and night-vision equipment compared with the police.
The checkposts had now been equipped with bulletproof protection, thermal imaging systems and night-vision cameras, she said, adding that the measures had significantly reduced the risk of casualties among security personnel.
The chief minister said the provincial government had taken difficult decisions to maintain peace and had acted wherever the writ of the state was challenged.
She said the katcha, or riverine, areas, which had remained hubs of terrorism and crime for decades, had been cleared and transformed into crime-free zones.
According to Maryam, crime in Punjab had declined by up to 70%, while she stressed that law enforcement remained essential alongside development.
“Roads and projects are being built, but what is the benefit if someone’s animal, motorcycle or car is stolen, or a poor person loses his savings?” she asked.
Maryam said the provincial government had launched a decisive campaign against corruption, with irregularities detected in the Suthra Punjab programme resulting in the suspension of officials.
She said a helpline had been established to enable citizens to report corruption, while written instructions had been issued to inspectors general, regional police officers and other officials to identify and eliminate corrupt elements.
Police personnel had also been provided with body cameras to monitor their activities while on duty, she said.
“Even if corruption involves Rs100, we will pursue it,” Maryam said, adding that corruption would not be tolerated wherever it was detected.
The chief minister also spoke about security arrangements during religious occasions, saying some groups had previously used religion as a cover to spread hatred and violence, forcing police to divert resources from other duties.
She said Muharram, Eid Miladun Nabi and other religious festivals had passed peacefully, adding that crimes against minorities could no longer be tolerated.
Referring to the anti-encroachment campaign, Maryam said vendors had not simply been removed from public spaces but had been provided alternative locations to protect their livelihoods.
She said enforcement of helmet laws and lane discipline had initially been challenging but the situation had improved significantly.
The chief minister also stressed the need to educate pedestrians about traffic rules and road safety.
Maryam said protecting citizens was her personal responsibility despite the risks involved, adding that billions of rupees had been spent on transforming Punjab into a technology-enabled province.
“If the people do not trust the government, we will fall behind,” she said.
