Safety protocols: Stringent security measures in place, says Sanaullah

LAHORE: The government and law-enforcement agencies have made stringent security arrangements to protect the life and property of locals during Muharram 9 and 10, said Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday.

The minister was in Lahore to inspect the security arrangements made for the Muharram processions.

While speaking to the media, he expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements, saying the city police and district administration made foolproof security arrangements considering the high level of threat.

To a question, the law minister said the provincial and federal governments had decided to completely or partially block the mobile phone service on the request of the district governments. However, the district governments would make decisions about the suspension of mobile phone service in their area.

The minister inspected security arrangements on the route of main procession – from Nisar Haveli to Karbala Gamay Shah in the city. He also visited the Central Control Room set up at the office of Lahore DCO monitor major Muharram processions across the provincial metropolis.

Lahore DCO Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman gave briefing to the minister about security arrangements and monitoring of the processions on Muharram 9 and 10.

Vigilance around

The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) had installed 310 surveillance cameras in Lahore to monitor the major processions.

The district government, police and other federal and provincial government department officials were performing duty in the Central Control Room established in Nadir Hall at Lahore DCO’s office. Around 500 Civil Defence volunteers and Bomb Disposal Squad officials were also performing duty on the procession routes.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2016.