Shrines across Punjab to close after Isha prayers

A screen capture of the shrine of sufi saint Sakhi Sarwar in Dera Ghazi Khan that was recently attacked. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: The Government of Punjab decided on Friday to close Shrines across the province on a daily basis due to the fear of terrorist attacks.

The police have been directed by the DCO to implement the decision and to beef up security arrangements at the shrines.

Auqaf authorities have raised concerns over the threat to shrines on several occasions.

The decision comes in light of an attack on the Shrine of Sakhi Sarwar in DG Khan after which it has been ordered that all shrines in the province remain closed after night prayers and be opened after morning prayers.

Only Data Darbar has been excluded from this schedule due to reluctance from the administration of the shrine. Other religious groups have also criticized the decision such as the Sunni Council.

Earlier today, a Tehrik-e-Taliban commander was arrested in an operation by law enforcement agencies from Leyton Road in Lahore.

The arrested is suspected to be involved with three of his accomplices in planning attacks on shrines across the city.

The man identified as a key TTP commander has been moved to an unidentified location for further investigations.