Additional troops, security plan for Muharram activites in Quetta

Complete ban on hate materials and speeches furthering sectarian differences for the Ashura period.

QUETTA: A high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Commander Southern Command Lt General Muhammad Alam Khattak Monday reviewed security and other matters pertaining to upcoming Muharramul Haram events.

Home Secretary, IG FC, Provincial Police Chief, DIG, CCPO and representatives of sensitive institutions deliberated over the matter in the meeting.

The meeting decided to fully follow a code of conduct during Muharramul Haram and directives were issued by the civil administration in this regard.

As per the codes decided up, a complete ban on display of arms will be imposed. Wall chalking, objectionable and hate material would be disallowed, while people making speeches spreading sectarianism would be dealt with strictly.

Commander Southern Command said that during Ashura jawans of Pakistan Army, FC and Police would remain alert to meet any emergency while additional Frontier Corps would also be deputed along procession routes at different points in the city.

He said that a control room would start function from Muharram 1 at the provincial Home Department which would be in contact with all divisions and districts of the province. Buildings along procession routes would be checked. A list featuring details of people staying at all rest houses, motels and hotels was being compiled.

He said at the Police and FC check posts with special cameras are being installed in different parts of the city and along procession routes for monitoring.

The meeting also decided upon arrangements regarding cleanliness and lighting along the Ashura procession routes.