Punjab tightens security, deploys over 40,000 personnel for Eidul Azha across province

Information minister says operations against Fitna al-Khawarij ongoing in the province

LAHORE:

The Punjab government deployed over 40,000 security personnel across the province for Eidul Azha to ensure foolproof security.

The announcement was made by Azma Bokhari and Bilal Yasin during a joint press conference on Monday. They stated that approximately 30,000 mosques across the province are set to host Eid congregations.

The decision came a day after a powerful explosion ripped through a passenger shuttle train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta, killing at least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps personnel, and injuring 20 others in one of the deadliest attacks in the provincial capital in recent months.

Following the attack, the Central Police Office of Balochistan issued a fresh threat alert warning of possible terrorist attacks in various parts of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. According to the communiqué, intelligence reports indicated that terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij were planning to plant improvised explosive devices on major highways, including the Quetta-Chaman Highway, Quetta-Pishin Road, Saranan, and Mazai Adda.

Condemning terrorism, Azma said operations against Fitna al-Khawarij were ongoing, adding that intelligence-based operations had been intensified across Punjab and that elements involved in terrorist activities were attempting to destabilise the country.

Read More: Punjab approves Rs50,000 fine for illegal dumping of animal waste during Eidul Azha

She further added that action would be taken against unfit vehicles and those operating without fitness certificates, while strict monitoring would be carried out to prevent overloading.

Azma stated that kite flying, reckless behaviour, and wheelie stunts would be prohibited on Chand Raat, and amusement park rides would require fitness certification before being allowed to operate.

On sanitation, Bokhari said all leave of "Suthra Punjab" officials had been cancelled to ensure effective cleanliness arrangements during Eid, with 12 million waste bags being distributed to citizens.

Yasin said the Quetta incident prompted a high-level security review, following which all departments were directed to work in coordination to ensure foolproof security arrangements at places of worship and open prayer grounds throughout Punjab.

He said security arrangements had been finalised and monitoring systems fully activated, with security forces remaining alert during events marking Youm-e-Takbeer on May 28.

He said security operations were ongoing against elements with “malicious intent” in various cities, adding that several suspected terrorists had been arrested during recent crackdowns and that hostile elements and “Indian proxies” were involved in activities aimed at destabilising Pakistan.

The minister said intelligence-based operations had been accelerated, while the repatriation process for Afghan nationals was continuing.

Yasin added that cleanliness arrangements for cattle markets and Eid-related activities were being ensured, and that monitoring and control rooms had been activated for real-time oversight.

Read: 11 terrorists killed during IBOs in K-P's North Waziristan: ISPR

He said that water supply timings would be extended during Eid, with over 21,000 Water and Sanitation Agency employees remaining on duty and leave for field staff cancelled.

Yasin added that road cleanliness along Eid prayer routes would be ensured, and that all ministers would remain in the field during the three days of Eid on the instructions of the chief minister.

On housing, Yasin highlighted the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme, saying it had received recognition at international forums and had become one of the world’s largest housing models, with over 100,000 homes completed and loans for 160,000 families expected to be approved by June 2026.