4,000 personnel to be deployed for Muharram

Local authorities devise comprehensive security plan for Ashura

RAWALPINDI:

The district administration and police have authorised a comprehensive security plan for the processions and congregations (majalis) including the Ashura and Mehndi processions during Muharram.

The measures will be applicable from Muharram 1 to 10 in order to avert ‘terrorist threats’ in the Rawalpindi district. As per the plan, the army will remain on high alert while prior to Ashura, on the 7th and 9th of Muharram, a combined flag march of police, security forces and law enforcement agencies will also take place.

To maintain law and order in the city, 4,000 police officers and rangers will be deployed along with 350 civil defence volunteers. Female police officers will also be deployed during the processions.

Moreover, 500 closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) will also be placed in the close vicinity of sensitive areas such as Raja Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Kalan Bazaar, Dingi Khoi Chowk, and Purana Qila Bazaar to monitor the major procession and its route.

During the procession, standing in the windows, balconies and rooftops of houses, plazas and mosques will be prohibited.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2023.