Muharram security: CM appoints ministers, advisers to monitor security

Says it is imperative <br /> to ensure religious harmony during <br /> this period

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has ordered provincial ministers, advisers and special assistants to monitor security arrangements during the holy month of Muharramul Haram.

The ministers will inspect arrangements to maintain law and order in their respective districts from the 8th to 10th of Muharram. They will be responsible for implementing the government security plan, in collaboration with the administration and police.

While issuing these directions to the cabinet subcommittee on law and order, the CM said provincial ministers should ensure strict monitoring of the security plan in their given districts. He warned that any leniency or negligence in security duties would not be tolerated.

Buzdar hoped to maintain religious harmony among all schools of thought in collaboration with the ulema and administration. He urged officials to proactively ensure implementation of the code of conduct. “Citizens should also remain fully vigilant to thwart any nefarious designs,” he added.

Meanwhile, a notification was issued with regards to deputing ministers, advisors and special assistants in different districts to monitor security arrangements during Muharram. According to the notification, ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal will monitor security in Lahore.

Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed has been assigned given Sheikhupura, while Chaudhry Zaheerud and Malik Muhammad Anwar will monitor Faisalabad and Attock, respectively. Similarly, Muhammad Sibtain Khan will monitor security in Mianwali, Sardar Hussnain Bahadur Drashak has been given Rajanpur district and Murad Raas has been assigned Okara.

Muhammad Hashim Dogar has been deputed for Kasur, Sardar Asif Nakai for Nankana Sahib and Mumtaz Ahmed for Chiniot. Muhammad Taimur Khan has been assigned Jhang, Raja Rashid Hafeez has been given Rawalpindi and Hafiz Ammar Yasir will monitor Chakwal District. Yasir Humayun has been given Jhelum, while Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi has been assigned Sargodha. Khushab and Malik Nauman Ahmed Khan Langrial are both given Sahiwal District. Samiullah Chaudhary has been assigned Bahawalpur, Makhdoom Hashim Jawanbakht has been deputed for Rahimyar Khan and Muhammad Mohsin Leghari will look over Dera Ghazi Khan.

Pir Syed Saeedul Hassan Shah will look over Narowal, Mehr Muhammad Aslam has been given Layyah, Khanewal has been given to Syed Husain Jehanian Gardezi and Multan will be assigned to Muhammad Akhtar. Hafizabad has been assigned to Muhammad Ajmal, Sialkot to Muhammad Akhlaq and Toba Tek Singh to Aashfa Riaz. Similarly, Bahawalnagar has been assigned to Shoukat Ali Lalika, Lodhran to Zawar Hussain Warraich and Gujranwala and Gujrat to Mian Khalid Mehmood. Vehari has been assigned to Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan Khichi, Pakpattan to Ejaz Masih, Muzafargarh to Abdul Hayee Dasti, Mandi Bahauddin to Faisal Hayat and Bhakkar district to Amir Muhammad Khan.

CCPO reviews arrangements

Capital City Police Officer Lahore Additional IG BA Nasir and DIG Ops Lahore Shehzad Akbar has visited the main route of the 10th Muharram procession.

City Superintendent Ahsan Saif Ullah, DSP Noulakha Atif Miraj, Agha Shah Hussain and the administration also escorted the CCPO. The city police chief and DIG Operations visited different locations along the route. Nasir said Lahore Police would provide foolproof security to the main procession. Mobile phone services would be suspended and aerial surveillance ensured on 10th Muharram. All activity of the main procession would be monitored by CCTV cameras. No unknown person will be allowed to enter the main procession.

Meanwhile, Lahore Police has finalized the security plan for Muharramul Haram. According to the plan, over 10,000 police officials, along with Counter Terrorism Department personnel, Civil Defence and Rescue 1122, will be deployed.

The routes and majalis will be monitored through CCTV Cameras installed by Punjab Safe City Authority. The authorities have cameras on different points on the route. The path will be cleared by the Special Branch, Bomb Disposal Squad and sniffer dogs before the start of the procession. According to the plan, four-layered security will be maintained. The roads and streets leading towards the procession will be shut down using containers, barbed wires and tents.

Every participant will be allowed entry after going past walkthrough gates, physical frisking and checking with metal detectors. Men in civvies will be deployed to keep an eye on any suspicious person or activity. Snipers will be deployed on nearby rooftops. Teams of Police Response Unit and Dolphin Squad will remain on patrol in nearby areas to respond in case of any emergency. A ban on pillion riding has also been imposed.  Aerial surveillance of the route will also be conducted. Phone service in areas adjacent to the route will be suspended.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2018.