Security tightened at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine
Soldiers stand guard outside Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine. The shrine was targeted by a suicide bomber on February 16, which claimed over 80 lives. PHOTO: APP
Ahead of the anticipated influx of hundreds of thousands of devotees for the three-day Urs celebrations at the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (RA), local authorities convened on Thursday to finalise the arrangements.
Jamshoro district Deputy Commissioner, Ali Zulfiqar Memon, who chairs the festival committee, disclosed plans for deploying 5,000 police personnel in the small town of Sehwan to bolster security.
Memon outlined comprehensive security measures, including the installation of 500 CCTV cameras to monitor the entire town, particularly the vicinity of the shrine.
Moreover, 20 walk-through gates will be positioned around the shrine. Precautionary steps such as placing a ban on swimming in the canals and distributaries passing through Sehwan under section 144, alongside heightened vigilance by the health department, were emphasised.
Read: Gold worth Rs12.5m stolen from Lal Qalandar’s shrine
Notably, the Pakistan Navy’s assistance will be sought for potential rescue operations in case of drowning incidents.
Furthermore, arrangements for free drinking water will be made, while heavy transport vehicles will be restricted from accessing the stretch of the Indus Highway between Jamshoro and Dadu, given the anticipated surge in public transport vehicles.
Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has been urged to minimise load shedding and ensure uninterrupted power supply during the event.
Official proceedings during the Urs celebrations will encompass various activities including sports events, cattle shows, exhibitions, conferences, and an award ceremony.
The significance of security measures was underscored by the tragic incident on February 16, 2017, when a suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the shrine, claiming over 90 lives, including women and children. Since then, the government has prioritised the shrine’s security, enhancing deployment, monitoring, and intelligence support to prevent such incidents.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2024.