Punjab govt ensures foolproof security, comprehensive care for Ashura: CM

LAHORE, Jun 26 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the provincial government had put in place unprecedented security and public facilitation arrangements to ensure the peaceful observance

of Ashura, with a newly developed three-tier administrative and security model fully operational

across the province.

In a message issued here, the chief minister directed all relevant departments to ensure foolproof

security as well as comprehensive care and facilitation for mourners participating in Majalis

and processions.

She said an integrated security plan, based on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), drones, body cameras and other modern technologies, had been implemented over the past eight days to monitor and secure mourning processions and religious gatherings throughout Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz said that, for the first time, the entire provincial cabinet, along with ministers and the civil administration, had been deployed in the field to supervise arrangements and facilitate mourners.

She said more than 100,000 Punjab Police personnel, backed by 61 companies of the Pakistan Army, 76 companies of Rangers and over 30,000 trained volunteers, had been deployed to provide security for more than 47,000 Majalis and processions across the province.

The CM said the Provincial Intelligence Centre at the Home Department was functioning round-the-clock, with all processions and Majalis under live CCTV surveillance through a digital monitoring wall.

Besides security, extensive public service arrangements had also been made, including cleanliness drives, medical camps, Rescue 1122 services, Civil Defence teams, field hospitals, mobile health units, drinking water stalls and measures to protect mourners from extreme heat through anti-smog guns and sprinklers spraying water and mist.

She said nearly 5,000 Imambargahs had been linked with QR codes for the first time to improve coordination and appealed to organisers of Majalis to download and use the QR code system.

Maryam Nawaz said cyber patrolling was continuing to curb hate speech, sectarian content and incitement, adding that more than 6,000 objectionable social media accounts and posts had been reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). She added that the Punjab government had also launched its own LTE communication network to ensure uninterrupted coordination despite mobile network restrictions.

The CM said provincial and district control units remained on high alert, with live geo-tagged video monitoring underway through more than 5,500 CCTV cameras, the Safe Cities network, private surveillance systems and over 1,000 advanced 4G event cameras installed at highly sensitive locations. She said 43 targeted intelligence-based operations (IBOs) had so far been conducted across the province. For the first time, a comprehensive digital map of all Majalis and processions had been prepared, identifying their locations and security categories.

Walk-through gates and metal detectors had been installed at entry and exit points of processions, while coordination between the Punjab government and interfaith harmony committees was being maintained through a dedicated hotline. An e-portal, developed with the assistance of the Punjab Information Technology Board, was also being used for real-time information sharing and operational briefings.

Maryam Nawaz said Section 144 remained in force across Punjab, with restrictions on standing on rooftops along procession routes, displaying weapons, misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking, provocative speeches and pillion riding on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

She also appreciated the cooperation of procession organisers, Majalis committees, mourners and the general public, saying their support had contributed significantly to the successful implementation of the province-wide security and public service plan.