Home Minster Shuja Khanzada said on Sunday arrangements had been finalised to protect Muharram processions and majalis on Ashura.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting a control room at the office of the district coordination officer and Karbala Gamay Shah. DCO Muhammad Usman, CCPO Ameen Wains and the DIG accompanied the minister.
The minister said 225 CCTV cameras had been installed on the routes of processions and places declared sensitive by law enforcement agencies. He said five helicopters would be used to monitor mourning processions. Khanzada said alternative electricity arrangements had been made to keep the cameras operational in case of power cuts. He said there would be a four-tier security cordon around processions.
The minister said control rooms in all districts, including Lahore, had been linked to a central control room.
He said 26,000 policemen in Lahore and 120,000 police officials in other districts would be on duty on Ashura. He said law enforcement agencies would work in a close liaison.
He said 84 companies of Pakistan Army and 14 of Rangers would help police maintain order. Khanzada said there was a ban on carrying or displaying weapons. He said cases had been registered against 100 people for violating the ban. The minister also met several Shia leaders.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2014.
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