According to the security plan, around 12,000 security personnel, including those of the rangers and army, will perform security duties in the twin cities up to Ashura, which falls on November 4.
Over 5,000 security personnel have been deployed in the capital to provide security to around 909 religious gatherings (majalis) and 177 processions that will be held during the first 10 days of the month.
The Islamabad Police have also decided to launch search operations in various slums to roundup suspects who may be hiding there to carry out subversive activities.
Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Tahir Alam Khan, meanwhile, has directed the police to come down hard on saboteurs who may create a law and order situation.
The IG also directed for close vigilance of people whose names are in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
“People who may create a law and order situation, irrespective of their religious affiliations, will be arrested for one month under the Maintenance of Public Order,” said Khan, according to a press release.
He said that action would also be taken against organisers of majalis and processions if they violated designated routes and failed to meet timings set for the gatherings.
“Action would also be taken against those involved in using loudspeakers under the Amplifier Act,” he said.
According to the plan, clearance certificates from police stations have also been declared mandatory for the organisers of processions.
Show of strength
Personnel of the Islamabad Police and Rangers also held a flag march, which kicked off from Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at the same point after passing through various areas.
SSP Asmatullah Junejo said the purpose of the flag march was to display the preparedness level of the police and other law-enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police along with rangers personnel and traffic police conducted a flag march in different areas of the garrison city. Last year, at least eight people were killed and over 80 injured in sectarian clashes in front of the Madrassa Taleemul Quran in Raja Bazaar.
Around 7,000 policemen to be deployed in Pindi
On the other hand, the Rawalpindi police have also chalked out a security plan by deploying around 7,000 policemen on duty in different city areas.
Around 1,916 majalis and 447 processions will be held in different areas of the district.
As many as 6,500 policemen will perform security duty on 7th Muharram while over 7,000 policemen will perform security duty on 9th and 10th of Muharram.
According to the security plan, 14 companies of the army, 10 companies of rangers and 40 platoons of the Punjab Constabulary would assist the police in performing security duties during Muharram.
Personnel of the special branch, elite force, quick response force and women police will also perform security duties. According to the plan, all processions will be monitored through CCTV cameras and parking of vehicles will not be allowed at a radius of 200 yards from imambargahs and other congregations.
Meanwhile, entry of certain religious figures into the city has been banned for a month, police stated.
According to a Rawalpindi police spokesman, religious figures and peace committees have been taken on board to play their role in promoting religious harmony during the month.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Hamyoun Bashir Tarar has said that strict arrangements have been put in place for security of religious congregations and processions incidents during Muharram.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2014.
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