Police finalise plans for security on Jumatul Wida

City police chief issues high alert, says no Eid holidays for cops

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi have evolved a comprehensive traffic plan for the last Friday of Ramazan.

The day market as Jummatul Wida or parting Friday is also observed as Youmul Quds in memory of Israeli occupation Al Quds Mosque in Jerusalem.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf said special arrangements would be made to regulate traffic load on city roads on the last Friday of the holy month when people turn out in droves heading to mosques.

Special traffic squads and enhanced number of traffic wardens including eight DSPs, 14 Inspectors, 87 Warden Officers and 36 Traffic Assistants will be deployed at all main roads and intersections of the city whereas helplines 1915 and 051-9272616 have been set up at Race Course Traffic Office with deployment of special squad. The helpline 1915 will provide 24-hour help and assistance to the citizens.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf said that a traffic plan had been formulated to facilitate commuters during Jumatul Wida and the last few days of Ramazan.

According to an official statement, Ashraf said in view of the security of the citizens, proper traffic arrangements were being made. Parking of vehicles near Mosques, Imambargahs and other religious places would not be allowed and double parking in any part of the city would also be prohibited.

The motorists would be allowed to park their vehicles only in the parking areas of the shopping centres and the markets during last Ashra. He said arrangements were being made to control the traffic mess particularly in congested areas so that the citizens could easily reach their destinations within shortest possible time. Under the plan, traffic police officers had been directed to keep a vigilant eye on suspected vehicles. Strict action in accordance with the law had also been ordered against vehicles having tinted glasses or without number plates, he added.

Special traffic arrangements would also be finalized for Chand Raat, he said.

Ashraf informed that he himself would supervise the arrangements made for last Ashra. In order to provide relief to the citizens, strict action against transporters charging exorbitant fares from the passengers had also been ordered, he said.

Federal capital

Islamabad police have devised a security plan for Yum ul Quds and Juma-tul-Wida and decided to deploy more than 500 policemen including police commandos at Masajd and Imambargahs to avert any untoward incident.

DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has devised a comprehensive plan following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar and all police officials have been directed to ensure security outside all Masajid including Faisal Masjid, Imambargahs and exit and entry points of the city.

He has directed all Sub-Divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers to improve the security plan and ensure checking of every person through metal detectors at Masajid and Imambargahs in their respective jurisdictions.

Special contingents of police along with Rangers will perform security duties along with rallies in various areas to ensure security of the participants while police officials of various zones have been asked to specify parking areas far away from Masajid and Imambargahs and ensure strict patrolling to keep vigilant eye on suspects. Police Commandos, teams of Quick Response Force as well as Counter-Terrorism Force and personnel of Islamabad Traffic Police have been deployed at important places while Falcon and police station vehicles will perform patrolling duties. In addition, special police checking points have been also erected in the city.

The police officials have been directed to carry out special checking of hotels, motels and guest houses for security purpose. It has been directed for high-vigilance security at the exit and entry points of the city. Islamabad Traffic Police has also assigned duties to traffic cops in order to ensure smooth flow of traffic at various places including Faisal Masjid and avoid any inconvenience to the citizens.

Leaves cancelled

The district administration and police top brass have cancelled the leaves of police and security personnel from Jumatul Wida till the three days of Eidul Fitr.

Police and administration will be on high-alert as rest of the people celebrate the festive occasion. For the Eid eve or Chand Raat, at least 3,000 policemen will be deployed on important intersections of the city, shopping hubs and recreational spots.

According to an official statement, City Police Officer (CPO) Faisal Rana has directed to ensure foolproof security at Jumatul Wida and Eidul Fitr congregations.

The Rawalpindi police chief said policemen deployed on security duty should have metal detectors with them to search the participants. Walk Through gates should be installed on important events of Jumatul Wida, Chand Raat and Eid prayer gatherings to search every participant.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2019.