IG Punjab Faisal Shahkar orders to adopt a comprehensive strategy for foolproof security arrangements of Muharram Majalis and processions.
In any case, four-layered security should be provided to sensitive and A-category mourning processions and Majalis. IG Punjab
During decade of Muharram, 176,477 officers, personnel and police volunteers will be deployed for the security of 9,292 processions, while 1,94,086 officers and personnel will be deployed in 37,223 Majalis.
Security of all Majalis and mourning processions should be given top priority, indiscriminative action will be taken against religious hatred and sectarianism. IG Punjab
Full compliance of Loudspeaker Act must be ensured and strict action will be taken against broadcasting and advertising of malicious content. IG Punjab
Religious unity and harmony should be promoted with the cooperation of all schools of thought, scholars, community leaders, businessmen and civil society. IG Punjab
Special arrangements should be made for security of Imambargahs, Ashura Majalis and processions in Lahore by monitoring with Safe City cameras.
Under the chairmanship of IG Punjab Faisal Shahkar, orders issued in the RPOs conference to review the security arrangements for Muharram.
Inspector General Police Punjab Faisal Shahkar has directed that during Muharram, fool-proof arrangements should be made under a comprehensive strategy by utilizing all available resources for the security of mourning processions and Majalis in all districts of the province. IG Punjab said that the security of Majalis and mourning processions of Ashura Muharram is the first priority and indiscriminative actions will be taken against those who try to spread religious hatred & sectarianism. Faisal Shahkar directed to ensure four - layered security for sensitive and A-category mourning processions and Majalis across province. IG Punjab directed to take strict action against violation of Loud Speaker Act and broadcasting and promotion of malicious content. IG Punjab Faisal Shahkar said that religious unity and harmony should be promoted with the cooperation of scholars and Ulemas of all schools of thought, community leaders, businessmen and civil society. He stressed upon field officers to ensure the active role of peace committees in collaboration with the district administration. Faisal Shahkar directed to carve out special security arrangements for Imambargahs, Ashura processions and Majalis in all sensitive cities including Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala. IG Punjab said that cameras should be installed on the main procession routes of 9th Muharram and Ashura Day and drone cameras should also be arranged for aerial monitoring. IG Punjab further directed that special attention should be paid to monitoring by Safe City cameras in Lahore. IG Punjab emphasised upon supervisory officers to review the security arrangements of Muharram by personally visiting field areas. He also directed to increase patrolling hours during night . IG Punjab directed that lady constables along with lady volunteers should be assisted in security and checking in women's majlis and processions. IG Punjab Faisal Shahkar issued these instructions to the RPOs, DPOs of the province while presiding over the RPOs Conference held at the Central Police Office regarding Muharram security arrangements.
During the conference, IG Punjab Faisal Shahkar was told that 9,292 processions and 37,223 Majalis are being held in all the districts of the province during the month of Muharram, according to which 176,477 officers, personnel and volunteers for security of mourning processions whereas 194,086 officers, personnel and police volunteers will perform security duties of Majalis. On this occasion, DPO Pakpattan gave a briefing on the foolproof security arrangements for the 5-day Urs celebrations of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shukar. IG Punjab while giving instructions said that the activities of banned organizations and persons included in the Fourth Schedule should be closely monitored during Muharram. He also directed to implement an effective traffic plan keeping in view timings of Majlis and mourning processions so that the flow of traffic could not disrupt traffic flow especially on important highways. IG Punjab while giving instructions said that for the security of the mourners, walk-through gates, metal detectors and CCTV monitoring and video recording should also be arranged. He instructed the officers to ensure implementation of restrictions on fixed hours of processions and Majalis at any cost. The search, sweep, combing and intelligence-based operations should be continued in and around the places of Majalis and mourning processions. He also directed to deploy plain clothed commandos and snipers on roof tops of the buildings coming on the route of sensitive processions and Majalis. Additional IGs, DIGs, Special Branch, CTD and officers of Safe City Authority were present in the video link conference while all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs including Additional IG South Punjab participated through video link.
(Handout No. 373)
Osama Mehmood
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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