Punjab Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the Punjab government is ensuring the best possible security arrangements across the province for Muharram-ul-Haram.
Punjab govt ensuring best security arrangements for Muharram: Minister Salman
LAHORE, Jun 10 (APP): Punjab Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the Punjab government is ensuring the best possible security arrangements across the province for Muharram-ul-Haram.
According to a handout issued here on Wednesday, he expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order in Rawalpindi to review Muharram security preparations. Provincial Minister and Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin, Provincial Ministers Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath and Bilal Akbar Khan, Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak, and RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa attended the meeting.
Officials briefed the committee on arrangements in Rawalpindi Division, where security plans for 4,376 majalis and 757 processions have been finalized. Authorities have issued district-wise orders for 199 zakirs and speakers and language-related orders for 83 individuals. A total of 312 persons have been placed on the Fourth Schedule in Rawalpindi. During Muharram, five companies of the Pakistan Army and seven companies of Rangers will assist police in maintaining law and order.
Addressing the meeting, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order is visiting all divisional headquarters to review arrangements. He stressed adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards violations of the Muharram code of conduct and ensuring punctuality in processions and gatherings across the province.
Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin directed authorities to make strict security arrangements in inter-provincial and inter-district border areas and to keep weather conditions in mind while planning. He also emphasized linking all organizers with law enforcement agencies through the Public Safety Application.
Provincial Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath said strict implementation of SOPs issued by the Home Department is essential for a peaceful Muharram, adding that procession routes should be monitored through Safe City cameras.
Provincial Minister Bilal Akbar Khan stressed ensuring the security of all traditional processions and gatherings in accordance with SOPs and urged followers of all schools of thought to avoid spreading unrest on social media.
Secretary Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi informed the meeting that strict action would be taken against sectarian and hateful content on social media. He also directed the establishment of cyber patrol cells in all districts on the pattern of the Home Department.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial, Chief Coordinator PFTEC Brigadier Asjad Ali, DIG Special Branch Sajjad Manj, DG Auqaf Hafiz Anisur Rehman, and deputy commissioners and DPOs from Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal, who briefed participants on local security arrangements.
