RAWALPINDI, Jun 10 (APP):Punjab government has put in place a sweeping security plan across Rawalpindi Division for Muharram-ul-Haram, under which over 4,376 majalis and 757 processions to be held under strict monitoring. Authorities vowed zero tolerance for any violation of the code of conduct during the month of Muharram. A high-level meeting of the provincial Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, chaired by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and co-chaired …
Muharram security; strict monitoring, zero tolerance policy enforced in Rawalpindi, Cabinet Committee briefed
RAWALPINDI, Jun 10 (APP):Punjab government has put in place a sweeping security plan across Rawalpindi Division for Muharram-ul-Haram, under which over 4,376 majalis and 757 processions to be held under strict monitoring. Authorities vowed zero tolerance for any violation of the code of conduct during the month of Muharram.
A high-level meeting of the provincial Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, chaired by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and co-chaired by Bilal Yaseen, held in Rawalpindi, reviewed security preparedness and arrangements here on Wednesday.
Provincial ministers Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth and Bilal Akbar Khan were also present. Senior officials including Secretary Home Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Additional IG CTD Wasim Sial, Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak and RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa briefed the participants on the comprehensive security plan.
The committee was briefed that 199 rousing speakers have been restricted to specific districts while 83 individuals have been barred from public speaking. In Rawalpindi alone, 312 individuals have been placed under the Fourth Schedule to ensure strict surveillance during Muharram.
The committee was informed that to reinforce security, five companies of Pakistan Army and seven companies of Rangers will be deployed to assist police across the division. Procession routes will be monitored through Safe City cameras, while strict checking mechanisms will be enforced at inter-district and inter-provincial borders.
Chairman committee, Khawaja Salman Rafique on the occasion said the committee was visiting all divisional headquarters on the directives of the CM Maryam Nawaz to ensure foolproof arrangements. He stressed that violation of the Muharram code of conduct would not be tolerated, and directed concerned authorities to ensure strict adherence to timings of processions and gatherings.
Bilal Yaseen on the occasion directed that organizers must connect with law enforcement agencies through the Public Safety App and further directed that weather conditions should also be taken into account while making arrangements.
Secretary Home Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi warned of strict action against sectarian and hateful content on social media and directed all districts to establish cyber patrolling cells on the pattern of the Home Department.
The Cabinet Committee also held a meeting with the Divisional Peace Committee and religious scholars, where participants expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and pledged full cooperation for maintaining peace. Parliamentariams including MNAs Tahura Aurangzeb and Engr Qamar up Islam were also present in the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Khawaja Salman Rafique announced that Juma-tul-Mubarak would be observed as Youm-e-Wehdat to promote unity among Muslims. He lauded the role of ulema in fostering interfaith harmony and said their efforts were vital for maintaining law and order.
Religious scholars assured the government of their continued support, emphasizing that all schools of thought would observe Muharram with religious reverence and peaceful conduct. They termed interfaith harmony and unity as essential for national stability.
The meeting collectively reiterated that maintaining a peaceful environment during Muharram was a shared responsibility and affirmed that all stakeholders, including administration, law enforcement agencies and religious leaders, were working in close coordination to ensure security across the region.
