Multan, Bahawalpur districts on high alert

RPO says control room will work round the clock in three shifts

BAHAWALPUR/ MULTAN: In a bid to maintain peace during Muharram, the district administrations and law enforcement agencies in Multan and Bahawalpur districts have been put on high alert.

For the purpose, a modern command and control system had been established at Multan’s Regional Police Office to monitor law and order situation during Muharram. At least, 7,876 police officials were deputed in Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran and Vehari districts to perform security duties round-the-clock.



While briefing journalists on Friday, Regional Police Officer Sultan Azam Taimuri said that the divisional control room would work round-the-clock in three shifts and the entire security system, including the CCTV cameras in all the four districts were linked with the control room.

The RPO added that 3,240 majalis (religious congregations) and 912 mourning processions would be taken out in Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran and Vehari districts. He said in Multan District, 1,591 religious congregations would be held followed by 311 in Vehari, 1,036 in Khanewal and 302 in Lodhran.

“All resources are being utilised for maintaining security during Muharram in all the four districts,” he pointed out.

He said police officials had been deputed at sensitive spots, while special security arrangements were carried out for religious congregations of women. “Special walk through gates will be installed at entry and exit points at processions and congregations,” he said.



Sultan Azam urged the people to contact the divisional command and control room in case of emergency and report any untoward incident immediately. The network of CCTV cameras would monitor the whole security system in all the four districts.

He said, “Our religion promotes peace and tolerance and there is no room for extremism and militancy in Islam.” The RPO instructed the police officers to coordinate with the district peace committees to ensure peace. Meanwhile, Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Rana Muhammad Saleem Afzal directed the officials to stay on high alert during Muharram and ensure mutual coordination among different departments.

He issued instructions to ensure availability of emergency beds, blood and other equipment along with doctors and paramedical staff, while municipal and tehsil Corporations and district council should ensure elimination of encroachments in their respective jurisdictions.

He said appropriate lighting system should be ensured on the routes of religious congregations, while waste management company should carry out cleanliness arrangements on designated places.

The deputy commissioner asked WAPDA, SUI Gas and PTCL officials to mend installations and hanging cables, cover open transformers and carry out repair and maintenance work on priority basis.

He ordered the Auqaf department to ensure maintenance of graveyards and shrines. Saleem Afzal said that a comprehensive traffic plan should be constituted to maintain smooth flow of traffic during Muharram processions.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2017.