Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has issued a firm directive barring authorities across the province from closing markets, shops, businesses or commercial establishments during her visits, insisting that ordinary citizens must not be inconvenienced by security arrangements.
Instructions Reissued to Police and District Officials
In a message posted on X, the chief minister said clear instructions had once again been sent to all Regional Police Officers (RPOs), District Police Officers (DPOs), commissioners and deputy commissioners.
The directive explicitly prohibits officials from sealing or blocking residential streets or restricting residents’ movement in the name of security.
Full Text of the Directive
In her post, the chief minister stated:
- No market, shop, business or any other establishment shall be closed or asked to suspend operations on account of her visit.
- No residential street shall be blocked or sealed, nor shall any restriction be imposed on the movement of residents under the pretext of security arrangements.
- All security measures must be discreet and must not cause any inconvenience, disruption or hardship to the general public.
- The instructions must be followed in letter and spirit, with strict action promised against those who fail to comply.
Discreet Security, Undisrupted Public Life
The chief minister further instructed law enforcement agencies and relevant departments to ensure that all security arrangements are made discreetly and without disrupting the daily activities of the public.
She stressed that her orders must be implemented in letter and spirit, warning that strict action would be taken against officials found violating them.
The directive is intended to ensure that public life, commercial activities and routine movement remain uninterrupted during the chief minister’s official visits.
