11 districts declared sensitive in Muharram

4,500 Imambargahs, mosques identified for security

PESHAWAR:

The Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has identified 4,500 places of worship across 11 districts in the province as highly sensitive during the month of Muharram. These districts include Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram, Orakzai, and Tank. Based on information provided by the police and security forces, the Home Department has decided to deploy the police, Frontier Constabulary, and Frontier Corps to ensure security at these sensitive places of worship throughout Muharram.

The police have been instructed to enforce strict security measures to maintain peace and order in the province. District police have been directed to develop comprehensive security plans tailored to the specific requirements of Muharram. The lists of highly sensitive places of worship have been shared with the relevant district administrations.

In the provincial capital, Peshawar, the inner city and various Imambarghas situated on GT Road, Hayatabad, and Peshawar Cantt have been identified as sensitive and highly sensitive areas. To prevent any untoward incidents, the police have been instructed to seal the routes of mourning processions in all these districts.

Overall, these measures are being implemented to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and maintain a peaceful environment during the sacred month of Muharram in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2023.