CM approves helicopter surveillance, ban on pillion-riding during Muharram

CM Sindh urges intelligence agencies, Rangers and police to be vigilant of banned outfits surfacing with new names

KARACHI: A high-level meeting to discuss law and order situation approved on Monday surveillance of Muharram processions through helicopters, as well as decided to ban pillion-riding during 8, 9 and 10 Muharram.

"We would use surveillance system of Suparco for security reasons," said DG Pakistan Rangers Sindh Bilal Akbar while briefing the meeting.

Presiding the meeting, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said majalis and processions during Muharram begun from the first day of Muharram till Chehlum, and therefore a security plan must be worked out accordingly.

Shah also directed the home department to coordinate with the federal government for suspension of mobile services.

The chief minister said Muharram and local bodies’ elections were falling on the same dates, and intelligence agencies had to be more vigilant.

"Banned outfits must be stopped from participating in [local bodies’] elections," he said.

Read: Law and order: Tight security ordered during Muharram

Briefing the meeting about security arrangements, DG Rangers said there were 95 sensitive points in the city where special measures in coordination with police had been planned.

"Rangers is also conducting a special operation in coordination with police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) against the activists of proscribed organisations and this would continue till Chehlum," Major General Bilal said.

Special passes would be given to media persons for covering processions and majalis, he added.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who also attended the meeting, said the divisional administration must hold meetings with K-Electric for smooth power supply for street lights.

"We cannot afford risk of darkness in the streets particularly on sensitive days," he said.

The chief minister also directed the chief secretary to ensure presence of doctors, paramedical staff and availability of medicines in the government hospitals. The local government hospitals should also make such arrangements as usual, he said.

The AIG Maher said 64,414 police personnel would perform security duties during Muharram.

"The deployment of 41,090 policemen would be static, 5482 would be in pickets, while 8,825 mobiles and 9,017 would be reserved," he said.