Sachal sarmast shrine Khairpur.
ISLAMABAD: The devotees of Sufis and saints were overjoyed to learn that following Punjab, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) has also ordered reopening of all shrines located in the jurisdiction of the federal capital.
The shrines locally known as dargahs were closed down as a precautionary measure to ensure social distancing for preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Being places of mass gathering, shrines like Bari Imam and Golra Sharif see thousands of devotees gathering daily to pay respect to the saints or to pray for good fortune.
The ICTA Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqat issued a notification in this regard on Saturday.
It said that all shrines under in Islamabad district under the Aukaf department have been reopened immediately. The security of the shrines would be monitored by the related station house officers (SHOs).
Further, the zonal and circle police officials would be responsible for overseeing the security arrangements too.
The notification read that the shrines would remain open throughout the week.
All the devotees would have to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) while visiting the shrines.
Sources in the police informed The Express Tribune that Operations DIG Waqaruddin Syed has strictly directed the zonal police officials to leave no loop in security measures at the shrines. He further clarified that the police officials found negligent in their duties, would face strict departmental action if any complaints regarding mismanagement were received.
Shop timings relaxed
Hours before chaand raat the Islamabad administration has extended the time of shopping malls until 10pm from Sunday (today).
The timings have been extended keeping in view the needs of the people on Chand Raat as well as the sweltering weather during the day.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqat issued a notification to this effect on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the capital territory administration will deploy over 500 policemen to ensure security and that all markets and malls get closed on the deadline, considering that the people may continue shopping until midnight on Chand Raat.
Some 170 security personnel would be stationed in 48 small markets in different areas of the city while 370 policemen would be deployed in the shopping plazas.
These security personnel would also ascertain implementation on standard operating procedures (SOPs) under which the government had allowed the shopping plazas to operate.
DC noted that the market management committees, mall owners, and shopkeepers would be responsible for the execution of precautionary measures during the operation hours. The administration has warned that those found defying the orders would get their shops sealed off.
A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that some 350 policemen would perform duties outside different parks and recreational sites in the federal capital to provide security and keep a check to ensure that precautionary SOPs were being properly implemented.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2020.
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