Karachi police issue security alert for Friday prayers

Sindh's home minister directs law enforcement agencies to ensure maintenance of law and order under all circumstances

Karachi police have issued a security alert for Friday prayers today, directing the deployment of plainclothes and uniformed personnel across the city and on major roads.

Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan issued instructions to ensure security arrangements for worshippers.

Police stations have been directed to take all possible measures through coordination at the station level to ensure the safety of worshippers.

Authorities also instructed that vehicles and motorcycles should be parked at a distance from mosques and imambargahs.

Citizens have been urged to immediately report any suspicious activity, individuals or unattended vehicles, bags or parcels to Madadgar 15 or the nearest police mobile unit.

All sub-divisional officers and SHOs deployed in Karachi have been directed to personally monitor security arrangements until the conclusion of Friday prayers.

Orders have also been issued that officials must not leave their assigned duty posts during Friday prayers due to security precautions.

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Police warned that any negligence or lapse in implementing security measures in the city would result in strict legal and departmental action.

Meanwhile, Karachi Traffic Police said the road from Jinnah Bridge towards PIDC via MT Khan Road and the route from Mai Kolachi towards Jinnah Bridge had been opened for light traffic.

The road from PIDC to Sultanabad has also been opened for light traffic, while the road from the Sultanabad traffic section towards Mai Kolachi Phatak remains closed to traffic.

Meeting on law and order

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjar chaired a meeting to review the law and order situation in the province and security arrangements in view of possible protests on Friday.

The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary (home), the inspector general of Sindh police, the Karachi commissioner and senior police officials. Additional IG Karachi Range, additional IG CTD and additional IG Special Branch, along with DIG West, DIG SSU, DIG East and DIG South, also participated.

Participants carried out a detailed review of the possible protests on Friday and the related security measures.

The home minister directed law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of law and order under all circumstances.

He also instructed the Karachi commissioner and police officers to contact religious scholars and inform them about the government’s measures.

Lanjar said religious scholars should be taken into confidence to help maintain peace and promote mutual cooperation.

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He warned that negligence or carelessness by any officer would be unacceptable and directed authorities to utilise all available resources to protect the lives and property of the public.

The minister said the display of weapons would not be tolerated under any circumstances, in line with the decision of the 33rd Provincial Apex Committee.

He directed strict legal action against the display of weapons during public gatherings, rallies and protests, and ordered immediate and indiscriminate action against those involved.

Lanjar said no leniency would be shown to anyone disrupting law and order or violating the law.