Mourners carry tazias at the Ashura procession in Chiniot. PHOTO: ONLINE
More than 150,000 police officials and volunteers performed security duties on the occasion, while 71 control rooms throughout Punjab monitored the cities. Prior to Ashura, police conducted 48 mock exercises to check their readiness in case of any untoward incidence.
Punjab Police Inspector General Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera appreciated the dedication and efforts of police officers and volunteers for their duties during Muharram, especially on Ashura.
“Despite threats of terror attacks, the Punjab police has provided foolproof security to processions and majalis. I hope that this will continue to maintain law and order in the province,” he said.
Mushtaq further said the Punjab police are legatee of hundreds of martyrs which is clear evidence that officers and officials of the law enforcers have always presented their lives to protect life and property of the citizens. “They will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to fulfill their duty in future as well,” he added.
Lahore CCPO Amin Wains also appreciated the officials for their performance. He offered his gratitude to the administrations of majalis and processions for cooperating with police and maintaining the spirit of brotherhood and religious harmony.
Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) provided first aid to 29,454 injured mourners and shifted 399 mourners to hospitals during Muharram, while providing Emergency Medical Cover to mourning processions in all the districts of the province.
Around 7,000 rescuers and 637 emergency vehicles were deputed to provide medical and rescue services all over Punjab.
Particularly, in Lahore, 600 rescuers remained on emergency alert with 31 fully equipped ambulances, 15 fire vehicles, five rescue vehicles and six special vehicles moved along the processions and provided first aid to mourners.
Mourners pay respect to Zuljinnah at Lahore’s main Ashura procession. PHOTO: NNI
Rescue 1122 Director General Mohsin Rasheed appraised the performance of all rescuers for their professional commitment and dedication. He said rescuers are working on a missionary basis to save human lives and reduce sufferings of victims of emergencies.
in other district
Strict security arrangements were made on 10th of Muharram across Punjab. Several mourning processions were taken out on the day which culminated peacefully.
In Dera Ghazi Khan district, foolproof security measures were taken on Ashura.
At least 126 processions were held, while strict security was maintained to avert any untoward incident. Police had imposed Section 144 throughout the district and display of weapons was banned.
In addition, ban on pillion riding was imposed to minimise security threat.
As part of the security plan, police personnel were deployed on rooftops of the buildings, while snipers were deputed on sensitive locations and spots.
The district administration also ensured availability of ambulances and medical staff to provide first aid and treatment to the mourners.
On the day, Shia Ulema highlighted and recalled the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) for the cause of Islam. They also called for spreading unity and harmony among different sects of the religion.
Similarly, at least 72 processions were taken out on account of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) martyrdom in Bahawalpur district. On the occasion, foolproof security arrangements were made.
As part of the plan, police also provided three-tier security to all the processions and all of the participants were searched at three different locations and routes of the processions.
Police snipers armed with modern weapons were deployed on tall buildings on the routes of the processions.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2016.
1726722687-0/Express-Tribune-Web-(9)1726722687-0-270x192.webp "maryam nawaz launches solarisation project for agricultural tube wells")
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ