Islamabad IGP tells officers to focus on peace committees

Police vet Muharram security details; SPs told to monitor search operations themselves

ISLAMABAD: Police have been asked to maintain close liaison with peace committees of their respective areas during Muharramul Haram.

Islamabad IG Aamir Zulfiqar told officers to make sure that the peace committees remain active for better coordination of processions and Majalis during the month of mourning.

Peace committees are present in every precinct and comprise representatives of various sects, police, administration, social activists, civil society and political leaders of the localities.

IG Zulfiqar was issuing these instructions during a meeting of Islamabad police on Thursday to review security arrangements in connection with Muharramul Harram.

The meeting decided to increase patrolling in the sensitive areas for foolproof security.

The meeting was attended among others by all DIGs, AIGs, SSPs, and SPs of Islamabad police. All wings of Islamabad police were given directions to ensure complete coordination for the success of security.

The IGP directed all police officials to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organisers of Majalis and processions in Muharramul Haram.

He said that cooperation of organisers should be ensured with police and law enforcing officials.

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The IGP directed for strict security arrangements on gatherings and special checking of participants. He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions through metal detectors. Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees, the IGP maintained.

He directed the force to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities in the slum areas of the city and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city.

All SPs were asked to monitor search operations themselves and inform their high ups on a daily basis about progress in this regard, he added.

IGP also ordered proper light arrangements after negotiations with concerned authorities and also to weed out bushes in the various areas in the vicinity of worship places.

Police commandos along with vehicles would perform the security duties at Imambargahs which would be arranging religious gatherings.

It should be ensured that processions would pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. He also directed for effective patrolling and use of commando vehicles for the purpose.

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He directed for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad police and staff. He said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of Majalis and processions and they should be surrounded by large strength of policemen.

He also asked all officials to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people. Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and police officials should also be deployed at the rooftops.

The IGP said that policewomen should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and jawans would perform security duties outside the Imambargahs. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.