Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz's direction.
Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, and Home Secretary Punjab Ahmed Javed Qazi visited Multan.
Reviewed the Security Arrangements for Central Mourning Processions and Majalis in Multan – Punjab Police Spokesperson
On the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Inspector General Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, and Home Secretary Punjab Ahmed Javed Qazi visited Multan and reviewed the security arrangements for the central mourning processions and Majalis in the city. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman and IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar also reviewed the monitoring mechanism for processions and Majalis at the control room established in the DC Office. The officers inspected the security arrangements for the largest mourning procession of Southern Punjab held on 9th Muharram in Mumtazabad.
SSP Operations Multan briefed the Chief Secretary and IG Punjab regarding the security arrangements and shared that all Majalis and mourning processions are being continuously monitored through CCTV cameras. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar also met with members of peace committees, community leaders, and organizers of mourning processions and Majalis. Community leaders and members of peace committees appreciated the efforts and security arrangements of the Punjab government for maintaining peace during Ashura Muharram. Chief Secretary Punjab said that, on the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Government has taken comprehensive measures for the peaceful observance of Muharram-ul-Haram.
IG Punjab said that full security is being provided to all mourning processions and Majalis during Muharram-ul-Haram. Intelligence-based operations are being conducted in collaboration with the Special Branch, CTD, and security agencies. Full coordination is being maintained with religious scholars, procession organizers, all institutions, and stakeholders. Control rooms have been established in all districts and continuous monitoring is being carried out through CCTV cameras. Additional IG South Punjab Kamran Khan, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial, RPO Multan Captain (R) Sohail Chaudhry, Commissioner Multan Aamir Karim Khan, Deputy Commissioner Multan Waseem Hamid Sindhu, CPO Multan Sadiq Ali Dogar, SSP Operations Ahmed Zaneer Cheema, SSP Investigation Multan Imran Mirza, and other officers were also present.
Punjab Police spokesperson said that on Ashura Muharram, 1691 mourning processions and 3903 Majalis were held across the province including Lahore. On 9th Muharram-ul-Haram, more than 108,000 police officers and personnel were deployed for the security of mourning processions and Majalis across the province. In the provincial capital, on the occasion of 9th Muharram-ul-Haram, over 10,000 police officers and personnel performed duty for 81 mourning processions and 386 Majalis. In Sheikhupura region, 98 processions and 124 Majalis were held; in Gujranwala region, 334 processions and 687 Majalis; in Rawalpindi region, 174 processions and 425 Majalis; in Sargodha region, 214 processions and 560 Majalis; in Faisalabad region, 260 processions and 436 Majalis; in Multan region, 155 processions and 345 Majalis; in Sahiwal region, 63 processions and 191 Majalis; in DG Khan region, 230 processions and 591 Majalis; and in Bahawalpur region, 82 processions and 158 Majalis were held. Moreover, 30,000 community volunteers assisted in the security arrangements of Majalis and mourning processions. IG Punjab said that security across the province has been heightened and put on high alert during Ashura Muharram-ul-Haram. The enforcement of Section 144 imposed by the Government of Punjab is being ensured.
IG Punjab urged that people of all sects and religions should promote peace and understanding during Muharram-ul-Haram in the interest of national security. Given the strategic situation of the region, strict vigilance is being maintained on anti-state elements. Under the code of conduct for Muharram-ul-Haram, strict adherence to the fixed routes, venues, timings of mourning processions and Majalis, and the Loudspeaker Act is being ensured. He further said that all activities are being completely monitored with the help of Safe Cities Authority and district administration cameras. CTD, Special Branch, Traffic Police, Dolphin Squad, and PRU, along with other field formations, have been deployed for Muharram security.
Dr. Usman Anwar directed the officers that elements promoting hate content on social media must be strictly dealt with according to law. All district control rooms are linked with the central control room of the Central Police Office and remain in constant coordination. Dr. Usman Anwar said that the Punjab Police is receiving full cooperation from community leaders, provincial ministers, armed forces, Rangers, security agencies, and media in ensuring security arrangements. Furthermore, Punjab Police is also continuing operations against individuals promoting objectionable content on social media. In the past 24 hours, 25 incidents of uploading objectionable and hate content on social media platforms have been reported. FIRs have been registered in 20 cases and 15 lawbreakers have been arrested. Out of these, 14 incidents were reported on Facebook, 2 on WhatsApp, and 9 on other social media platforms. It is worth mentioning that in the past 6 days, 121 FIRs have been registered and 134 individuals have been arrested for sharing objectionable content on social media. IG Punjab said that individuals promoting religious hatred, incitement, and sectarianism on social media deserve no leniency. Dr. Usman Anwar emphasized that Punjab Police is ensuring strict action against those promoting hatred and objectionable content on social media.
(Handout No. 714)
Syed Mubasher Hussain
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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