Sindh govt finalises Muharram security plan

Over 78,000 security personnel to be deployed at 2,015 Imambargahs across Sindh

KARACHI: The Sindh government has devised a comprehensive security plan for Muharram processions. Around 78,000 security personnel will be deployed in and around 2,015 Imambargah across the province.

The security measures were discussed in a meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah on Monday. The meeting was attended by officials of the district administration and law enforcement agencies. It discussed the code of conduct to be applied during Muharram for maintenance of peace and sectarian harmony.

Sindh IGP Dr Kaleem Imam, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ahmed Shallwani, Auqaf and Religions Affairs Secretary Haroon Ahmed, Karachi Additional IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, all district deputy commissioners and police officials attended the meeting. Officials posted in other districts of the province were briefed via video link.

Imam and Shallwani briefed the participants about the security arrangements and administrative measures.

The IGP said that there were 2,015 Imambargahs in the province, including 342 in Karachi, 590 in Hyderabad, 138 in Mirpurkhas, 107 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 374 in Sukkur and 464 in Larkana divisions. He said that the provincial government will provide complete security to every procession by deploying over 71,000 policemen in addition to around 8,000 Rangers personnel.

Shallwani informed that separate meetings were held with the authorities of K-Electric and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and water during the Muharram days.

Shah directed the divisional commissioners to carry out repair work of roads if necessary, besides instructing them to remove debris, solid waste and other such obstructions along the routes of the processions and Majalis.

He directed officials to establish control rooms by deputing focal persons of all civic agencies including the KE, KWSB, health and other relevant departments of the provincial government.

The officials were directed to install extra Closed-Circuit Cameras on the routes of the processions.  They were directed to advertise alternative routes for the general public.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2019.