Security for Muharram: LEAs sift through guest houses of metropolis

More than 300 guest houses, musafirkhanas and hotels are located around the city, with majority in District South

KARACHI: In order to avoid any untoward terror activity, particularly during the central processions of Muharramul Haram, law enforcement agencies have started conducting security survey of the guest houses, musafirkhanas and hotels, particularly en route the central processions, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.

The police have launched a search operation at guest houses and bus terminals on the route of the mourning processions.

"Yes, we have started security survey of the guest houses, musafirkhanas and hotels to take security measures ahead the upcoming central processions in Muharram," District South police chief SSP Javed Akbar Riaz told The Express Tribune.



More than 300 guest houses, musafirkhanas and hotels are in the city, including Saddar, Cantt Station, Aram Bagh, Soldier Bazaar, Kharadar, Lyari, Lines Area, Sohrab Goth, Banaras, Lea Market, Malir, Landhi and Korangi. Majority of them are located in District South.

Police officials said that they have conducted searches at various guest houses and gathered the data of the people staying there, adding that the people who failed to produce their identification papers are being detained for further questioning. "Each police station is responsible for conducting its own security survey as effective intelligence will help police check suspects," said SSP Riaz.



The police officials concerned have also been directed to ensure that no house owner would give their place to tenants without informing the concerned police station while in case a tenant is involved in terrorist activities, the house owner, guest house owner or hotel owner would face similar charges.

A warning will be given to property dealers and owners of hotels and guesthouses if they are not keeping a record of their new tenants and guests, whereas departmental action will also be taken against the SHO concerned. "Without keeping a complete record of new tenants or guests, no room or place should be rented out to any newcomer without verifying his or her original computerised identity card," Riaz explained.

The guest houses administration said that they are cooperating with the law enforcement agencies. "We are already cooperating with the law enforcement agencies," said Muhammad Hashim, a manager at a local guest house in Saddar area. "This practice is going on for the last three years and we also shared the record of the guests with the police."



On the other hand, police is likely to close all the roads leading to Karachi's main traffic artery, MA Jinnah Road, with containers for the security of the mourning processions on Muharram 8, 9 and 10. The city's central mourning procession will pass through MA Jinnah Road and conclude at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar. The city authorities will also seal the shops on the route of the Muharram processions for three days due for security purposes.

The traffic flow on MA Jinnah Road will completely halt ahead of the arrival of the procession. The traffic will be diverted to alternative routes. Stringent security measures have been taken for the security of the mourning processions and to avoid any untoward incident.

Although pillion riding will be banned for three days, the authorities concerned are likely to suspend cellular service during the main Muharram processions.



The trader's community, however, expressed their reservations over sealing their shops. "We have some reservations over sealing our shops ahead of the central processions," said All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairperson Atiq Mir while talking to The Express Tribune.

Referring to last Muharram, Mir said that over two dozen of the shops which were sealed by the police at Empress Market ahead of the main processions had been looted by unidentified persons. "My concern is, either the police will keep their eyes on criminals or we will keep our eyes on police," he said. "If the police is sealing the shops for at least three days, it should ensure that our shops will remain safe."