IGP reviews security plan for Laylatul Qadr, Eid

Says sensitive places will be made secure so citizens can celebrate without any fear

LAHORE: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan has said that to ensure peace and law and order on Laylatul Qadr, chand raat and Eidul Fitr, all available resources should be utilized to provide security at places of worship.

He expressed these views while addressing senior officers and reviewing security arrangements in a video conference with RPOS and DPOs at the Central Police office on Saturday.

The IGP added that sensitive mosques, imambargahs and open gatherings for Eid prayers will be made secure so that citizens can worship and celebrate Eid without any fear or apprehension.

The IGP further said that security of different places of worship will be on high alert on Laylatul Qadr and stern action should be ensured against those one wheeling and aerial firing.

Additional IGP Operations Inam Ghani briefed the IGP and said that on Eidul Fitr 51,063 security personnel including 38,465 officials, 3,970 special police officials, and 8,628 volunteers will perform security duty for Eid prayers at 22,737 mosques and imambargahs and 866 open gatherings.

The additional IGP added, “Around 155 walk through gates, 10,953 metal detectors and 10,849 CCTV cameras will be installed at sensitive mosques and imambargahs across Punjab and senior officers will personally visit the field to review security arrangements.”

He said that on chand raat 20,588 security personnel including 16,419 officials, 214 special police officials and 3,955 volunteers will perform security duty in markets and business centres and at sensitive points.

Around 34 walk through gates, 3,669 metal detectors and 971 CCTV cameras will also be installed.

IGP Nawaz said that snipers should be deputed at the rooftops of sensitive religious places and commandos should be deployed in their vicinity. He added that extra officials will be deployed for the security of important markets, banks and business centres.

He directed Punjab DIG Traffic to devise a traffic plan for smooth traffic and ensuring its implementation and to not cause any problems for citizens in the name of document checking during Eid holidays.

He also directed the additional IG PHP to stop unnecessary number plate checking and unnecessary searching of vehicles to allow safe travelling for families during the week starting June 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2019.