Parts of Peshawar to remain closed during Muharram

PESHAWAR:

It has been decided to close various markets in the old walled city of Peshawar during the last three days of Muharram as a security measure.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that, due to the law and order situation, it had been decided to close Qissa Khwani, the Kochi Bazar, Mohalla Jhangi, Jahangirpura, the Chitrali Bazar, Kohati and Church Road from the 7th of Muharram this year.

Additionally, the entry of Afghan refugees into the city will be restricted, and an investigation of tenants in the city has been initiated prior to Muharram.

To ensure security, internal and external routes of the markets will be blocked and check posts established at different locations in the city.

The city’s entry and exit points will also be blocked.

The Home and Tribal Affairs Department 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 forces have been directed to develop comprehensive security plans tailored to the specific requirements of Muharram.