Army called out for Muharram security

The government has decided to call in military and paramilitary personnel to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order in the country during the holy month of Muharram.

The interior ministry issued an order approving the deployment of the military on the request by all provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The federal government authorised the deployment of army troops and civil armed forces under Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, for Muharram security duties in aid of civil power, the order states.

“The exact number, date and area of deployment … will be worked out by the provincial governments … in consultation with concerned stakeholders/authorities on the basis of on-ground requirement/assessment. The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders,” the order said.

Last Thursday, the Punjab government had sent a letter to the federal interior ministry, requesting the suspension of social media platforms from 6 to 11 Muharram.

The letter stated, “Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law & Order (SCCLO), while discussing agenda ‘Security and Administrative Arrangements for Muharram, 2024’ in its meeting dated July 4, 2024, inter alia, decided that social media platforms, i.e., Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, etc., be suspended across the province of Punjab from 6th to 11th of Muharram, 2024, in order to control hate material/misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence.”

Meanwhile, the Punjab apex committee was convened at the CM Secretariat in Lahore. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, was attended by Commander Lahore Corps, Punjab chief secretary, IG Police and other senior government, intelligence and military officials.

The forum took a holistic view of the prevailing security situation in the province and measures being taken to ensure public safety and national security in line with the revised National Action Plan.

The participants were also briefed on an elaborate security plan aimed at ensuring peace and harmony during the month of Muharram. Effective monitoring of the processions using high-tech gadgetry and tiered employment of various security forces will be done for effective security.

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed the security plan for ensuring peace and order during Muharram across the country.

He also reviewed the overall security situation in the provinces while presiding over an important meeting. The meeting’s participants decided to ban the use of drones in processions and assemblies from Muharram 1-10.

It was also decided that the decision to shut down the internet and cellular phone services would be taken in consultation with the respective provinces in the context of security concerns.

“Citizens face problems due to internet or mobile phone outages,” Naqvi said, adding that a decision in this regard needed to be made according to the ground facts and security situation.

He ordered the preparation of advance plans for rallies and gatherings because of rains while instructing strict checking at entry and exit routes. Naqvi said that processions and gatherings should be monitored through cameras and the code of conduct should be enforced.

The interior minister also directed that the security of mosques and other places of worship should be given full attention.