Balochistan government has claimed it has made foolproof security arrangements to thwart any untoward incident during the Muharram processions in the Quetta valley.
Addressing a news conference on Sunday, Balochistan Minister for Information, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal said three control rooms are set up at Commissioner, Police and Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters to monitor the movement of processions.
“Around 744 processions will be taken out and we have categorised them as ‘most sensitive’, ‘sensitive’ and ‘normal’ to provide them a foolproof security. He said security forces would be on high alert on Youm-e-Ashura.
“Two battalions of Pakistan army will remain on standby during the Muharram processions. Five thousand personnel of police, Balochistan Levies, Balochistan Constabulary (BC) and Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) are deployed at thirteen ‘most sensitive’, 24 ‘sensitive’, 54 ‘normal’ Imambargahs,” he said
Zuaratwal said all the divisions and district headquarters had also been issued orders to ensure tranquility during the processions. The minister said helicopter surveillance of the processions will also be done.
“The Bomb Disposal Squad will also remain on high alert and all hospitals will remain open to provide medical services; there will be an uninterrupted water supply and the street lights will remain turned on,” he said.
He said Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had already held a meeting with scholars of various schools of thought to ensure peace during the procession.
“The government has also prepared a post-Ashura plan to garner inter-faith harmony among the various schools of thought inhabiting the province,” he added.
Responding to a query, the CCPO Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema – who also attended the presser – said Shia organisations have assured that their members will not carry arms during the processions.
“The daily prayers will not be affected during the processions at the 28 mosques which fall on the routes and no mosque will be sealed for any reason,” Cheema said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2014.
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