LAHORE:
Muharram 9 passed peacefully amid strict security arrangements throughout Punjab.
As many as 1,661 mourning processions and 3,943 majalis were organised throughout the province on the day. Punjab Police had set up a control room at Cental Police Office (CPO) to monitor the security situation throughout the province. IG Faisal Shahkar visited the control room and said the facility was operational 24 hours a day to monitor the security of processions and majalis on 9th and 10th of Muharram.
He said security arrangements for the events were being continuously monitored from the control room and the situation was being observed moment by moment till the conclusion of all the processions. Shahkar said there was a ban on pillion riding in all districts of the province and restrictions under Section 144 were being strictly enforced. He said mobile phone service had been partially suspended at sensitive places in selected districts. CCTV cameras had been installed on the routes to monitor the processions in all the districts.
The inspector general said steps had been taken under a comprehensive strategy as per the standard operating procedures issued for the security of the main processions and majalis of Ashura Day in all districts of the province. All processions and gatherings will strictly adhere to the schedule and routes, while compliance with the Loud Speaker Act along with prohibition of broadcasting of offensive content must be ensured, the provincial police chief said. Additional IG Operations Sahibzada Shahzad Sultan and other officers were also present on the occasion.
(Tribune)
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