Over 30,000 cops deployed across Punjab for Youm-e-Shahadat Hazrat Ali (RA): Minister Azma

LAHORE, Mar 09 (APP): Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari on Monday said that strict security arrangements had been finalized across Punjab on the occasion of Youm-e-Shahadat Hazrat Ali (RA), with more than 30,000 police officers and personnel deployed to ensure the safety of mourning processions and religious gatherings.

She expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the Directorate General Public Relations Punjab (DGPR) alongside Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab Salma Butt, here. Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department Dr. Kiran Khurshid was also present on the occasion.

Azma Bokhari said that Pakistan was giving an effective response to Fitna al-Khawarij, adding that the country’s security forces possessed the full capability to foil the malicious designs of enemies. She said the government and security institutions were working together to maintain peace and stability and to protect the lives of citizens.

The provincial information minister remarked that if the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adopted the public service model introduced by Maryam Nawaz, it would be a matter of satisfaction. She said the people of KP were also part of the same nation and it was encouraging to see them benefiting from the Sahulat Bazaars established in Punjab, where essential commodities were being provided at subsidized prices during the holy month of Ramadan.

Azma Bokhari further said that although the KP government claimed to be providing a Ramadan relief package, its impact was not visible to the public. In contrast, she said the welfare initiatives and Ramadan relief programmes of the Punjab government were reaching the people and their positive effects were clearly visible to the common citizen. She emphasized that governance should focus on genuine public service rather than merely holding meetings or arranging photo sessions.

She added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserved the same level of relief, quality education, healthcare facilities and access to affordable commodities, as these were the fundamental rights of every citizen.

Referring to the global economic situation, Azma Bokhari said the government was closely monitoring challenges arising from international developments. She noted that global oil prices had increased by nearly 23 percent in a single day, reflecting the impact of international tensions and economic pressures. Despite these challenges, she said the government was making every effort to maintain stability, ensure peace in the country and minimize the impact of global economic fluctuations on the public.

Regarding security arrangements for Youm-e-Shahadat Hazrat Ali (RA), the minister said comprehensive measures had been implemented across Punjab to ensure the peaceful observance of the day. She said more than 30,000 police personnel would be deployed across the province, including over 8,000 officers and personnel in Lahore, to provide security for 217 mourning processions and 994 religious gatherings (majalis).

She added that 2,029 metal detectors and 297 walkthrough gates would be used for security checks, while lady police officers would be deployed for the screening of female mourners. Plainclothes commandos and rooftop snipers would also be stationed along procession routes to ensure maximum security and maintain law and order across the province.