8,000 cops guard procession routes

IGP visits different locations to monitor security arrangements

LAHORE:

The main procession of 9th Muharram that started from Pando Street on Wednesday morning and after passing through culminated at midnight peacefully after passing through its traditional route amid strict security.

DIG Operations Sajid Kiyani said they deployed at least 8,000 personals in addition to volunteers under the supervision of 14SPs, 34 DSPs, 83 inspectors and 762 upper subordinates.

IG Punjab Inam Ghani on Wednesday visited Alamgir Road, Pando Street Islampura to reviews security arrangements for the main procession of 9th Muharram. CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, DIG Operations Sajid Kayani and CTO Lahore Muntazir Mehdi escorted him. Dogar briefed IG Punjab about the security arrangements at Safe City Mobile Command Centre.

While briefing IG Punjab about security arrangements Dogar said that the officers and personnel deployed on Muharram security duty are fully equipped, alert and any activity or attempt to disrupt peace in the society by the evil elements will not be allowed to succeed at all.

The Lahore CCPO further said that monitoring of the procession was being ensured through CCTV cameras and police personnel in civvies.

The IGP, while instructing the officers and personnel deployed on the route of the procession, said snipers should be deployed on the roofs of buildings and Imam Bargahs on the way to the main processions of Ashura Day and to ensure that in the majalis and processions, the mourners could not enter without being checked through walk-through gates and metal detectors.

He also stressed that during security arrangements, keeping in view the traffic flow, alternate routes should also be considered carefully for facilitation of the citizens.

The City District Government has also set up a control room for surveillance purpose of the Muharam procession.

New CCTV cameras were also installed at few blank spots.

Read Over 5,000 cops deputed for Muharram security

In addition to it, the companies of Rangers and Pakistan Army were also standby to respond in case of any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, police carried out 'Aman Caravan' in collaboration with district administration and members of Central Executive Peace Committee (CEPC) for the second consecutive day on Muharram 9 to promote interfaith harmony, peace and tolerance among different schools of thought.

The Caravan led by Capital City Police Officer Lahore IG Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, started from Town Hall Lahore. Lahore Commissioner Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman, religious leaders from different schools of thought and members of Central Executive Peace Committee participated in the Aman Caravan to promote interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, peace and love.

The Aman Caravan left from the Town Hall and reached several areas of the city, including Shabih-e-Zuljinah procession Pando Street Islampura, Imambargah Qasr-e-Batool Shadman procession, Shabih-e-Zuljinah procession Sadar Cantt and other majalis and mourning processions.

The CCPO, commissioner and other participants of the Aman Caravan met with the religious leaders, licence holders and organisers of the different mourning processions and majalis.

The participants of Caravan expressed their solidarity and unity with the Muharram program leaders and organisers.

CCPO Dogar told media persons that the purpose to launch Aman Caravan was to improve cooperation with local religious leaders and strengthen the mutual bond of faith and unity among all stakeholders.

The procession started after majalis (religious gatherings at Pando Street at 8:00 am.

Shabih-e-Zuljinah appeared at 10:00 am afterwards the procession commenced.

Maulana Qamar Abbass Mujahid addressed the participants on the occasion and delivered sermon about the life, sufferings and philosophy of Imam Hussain (AS).

The procession passed through Alamgeer Road. As it reached Chowk Noori Building, the mourners offered Zuhrain prayers.

Afterwards, the procession resumed its traditional route and passed through main Bazar Karishsan Nagar, Neeli Bar Chowk, Baba Ground, Secretariat and Central Police Office (CPO).

As the procession reached Old Anarkali, the mourners offered Maghreeban.

The procession after the prayers passed through Lake Road, Lytton Road and Khaima Sadat.

The route will return to Pando Street, its starting point at around 12 am, using the same route.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2021.