Punjab Cabinet Committee reviews Muharram security, administrative arrangements in DG Khan

LAHORE, Jun 09 (APP): Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Chairman Khawaja Salman Rafique on Tuesday chaired an important meeting in Dera Ghazi Khan to review security and administrative arrangements for Muharram.

Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin and Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani attended the meeting. Secretary Home Department Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Additional IG South Punjab Muhammad Kamran Khan, Additional IG CTD Wasim Sial and Additional Secretary Special Initiatives were also present.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Division Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Azhar Akram briefed the participants on the security plan and administrative arrangements.

The meeting was informed that comprehensive arrangements had been finalised for all 1,396 Muharram processions and 4,505 religious gatherings (Majalis) across the DG Khan Division.

Authorities had issued district-restriction orders against 197 religious speakers and zakirs, while speaking restrictions had been imposed on 106 individuals. The meeting was further informed that 264 individuals had been placed on the Fourth Schedule as part of security measures.

A detailed security plan had been prepared for 4,746 mosques, 607 Imambargahs and 2,570 seminaries across the division. To assist the police in maintaining law and order, seven companies of the Pakistan Army and nine companies of Rangers would be deployed in the region during Muharram.

Khawaja Salman said extraordinary security arrangements were being ensured to maintain peace during Muharram. Bilal Yasin said peace committees across Punjab were playing an active and positive role in promoting religious harmony and maintaining law and order. Ashiq Hussain Kirmani emphasised that training of volunteers deployed for processions and religious gatherings should be made mandatory to enhance security and crowd management.

Secretary Home Department Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi directed all districts to activate their cyber patrolling cells, adding that the central control room established at the Punjab Home Department was continuously receiving reports from across the province.

Following the meeting, members of the committee met representatives of the Divisional Peace Committee and religious scholars. The participants expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for Muharram.

Members of the Peace Committee appreciated the Punjab chief minister’s efforts for promoting inter-sect harmony and the welfare of mosque imams. They pledged full cooperation with the administration to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram in the division. They said they were jointly visiting procession routes with the administration and personally inspecting places of worship to ensure smooth arrangements.

Special prayers were offered at the conclusion of the meeting for the progress and prosperity of the country and for a peaceful Muharram-ul-Haram.

Later, the Cabinet Committee visited the route of the main Muharram procession and various Imambargahs, where it reviewed security and administrative arrangements. The committee also met organizers of processions and Majalis and inquired about the facilities being provided to participants.

During the visit, officials briefed the ministers on security measures and arrangements along procession routes.

The ministers said complete arrangements had been made for security, drinking water facilities (Sabeels) and medical care for mourners participating in processions. They paid tribute to officers and personnel performing duties in extreme weather conditions, describing them as heroes. The ministers also highlighted ongoing meetings with peace committee members, organisers, license holders, religious scholars and spiritual leaders to ensure coordination and harmony. They noted that representatives of all schools of thought were extending full cooperation to maintain religious harmony and ensure peaceful observance of Muharram across the province.