LAHORE: The Punjab government prohibited doing private usury business and implemented and published the `Punjab Prohibition of Interest Loans Act 2022` in the gazette on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Parvez Elahi stated that after the enforcement of the law, a ban had been imposed on doing private usury business across Punjab, adding that no one could make any transaction about private usury across the province.

He asserted that those found involved in doing private usury business would bebrought into the stern grip of law adding that the one found involved in doing private usury business would be awarded ten-year punishment along with a Rs500,000 fine.

After the enforcement of the law, the one receiving money from private usury in the past will now only return the real amount and will not have to pay an additional amount as interest to the lender. A case will be registered against the person for demanding an additional amount as an interest in addition to the real amount. Any citizen can visit a police station and can get an FIR registered againstthose doingusury business.

He highlighted that many houses will be saved from getting ruined after the enforcement of the Act. He maintained that interest is a curse and it has been declared a war against God, adding that the enforcement of prohibition law aboutdoing private usury business is also a service to the religion of Islam.

He said that by adhering to the injunctions of Allah Almighty and Holy Prophet (SAW), we have become successful adding that those indulging in usury business will be raised from their graves with dark faces.

UNDER-TRAINING ASPs: A batch of under-training ASPs of the 49th specialized training programme called on Mr Elahi at his office.

The chief minister noted that a better police attitude towards people would earn and enhance institutional respect at the grassroots. Human dignity should be honoured in police stations, he suggested and maintained that no one could fire the ones who deliver and ensure good governance.

He stated that the police will be given drones and other modern equipment,including modern armoured vehicles, to deal with the criminals. The use of force should be the last option, he spoke and indicated that the issues should be resolved through dialogue.

He said a special force was being formed to deal with drugs in educational institutions. Similarly, reform would be introduced to transform jails into rehabilitation centres. Alongside this, education has been made free up to BA and Rescue 1122 emergency service has been upgraded, he concluded.

BAR: He gave a Rs10 million cheque to the delegations of the Talagang district and tehsil bar associations who called on him at the CM Office.

He observed that the people have been given their right by giving district status to Talagang. Talagang district is a part of the Rawalpindi division and will remain so, he added.