Punjab to ensure enhanced security, medical, civic services during Muharram: CM Maryam

LAHORE, Jun 15 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed commissioners, regional police officers (RPOs), deputy commissioners (DCs), district police officers (DPOs) and assistant commissioners to remain present in the field and personally supervise Muharram-ul-Haram arrangements across the province to ensure peace, security and public convenience.

Chairing a meeting to review Muharram preparations, the CM called for the best possible administrative, security and facilitation measures and appealed to citizens to cooperate in maintaining law and order. She also directed the administration to establish cold drinking water stalls along procession routes and at religious gatherings.

CM Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to all departments for their performance during Eidul Azha, praising the coordination among government institutions. She commended the Home Department, intelligence agencies, police, Special Branch, Crime Control Department (CCD) and Information Department for their efforts, while also appreciating commissioners, deputy commissioners and RPOs across Punjab.

She said exemplary cleanliness arrangements during Eidul Azha had set a new benchmark in public service delivery and directed authorities to ensure that Muharram arrangements this year surpassed previous years in terms of management, facilities and security.

The CM ordered special security measures in sensitive areas and directed that every majlis and procession be monitored through CCTV surveillance. She said a three-tier security system had been established and instructed authorities to strengthen checking and monitoring mechanisms.

She emphasized that while criminals should face strict action, law-abiding citizens must be treated with dignity and respect. She directed officials to address the concerns of participants in religious gatherings and ensure respectful treatment of people belonging to all faiths and sects.

The CM instructed DPOs and RPOs to provide field personnel with specialised training for identifying suicide bombers and recognising suspicious behaviour. She directed all field formations to remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency or high-alert situation.

Appreciating the introduction of QR-coded panic buttons by Safe City authorities, she directed officials to ensure that organisers and participants of religious gatherings download and activate the system to facilitate rapid emergency response.

CM Maryam Nawaz said all mosques of different sects were registered with the Punjab government and appealed to religious scholars and community leaders to help ensure a peaceful Muharram. She urged citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity or individuals to the police.

The CM directed Civil Defence personnel to remain integrated with field formations and ordered the conduct of mock security exercises ahead of Ashura. She also called for strict implementation of all security standard operating procedures and directed district control rooms to remain fully equipped and operational.

She said that unauthorised drone operations would remain prohibited, although security agencies could use drones for surveillance purposes. Emphasising the use of modern technology, she directed authorities to maximise Safe City monitoring and link private surveillance cameras with the system in areas lacking coverage.

CM Maryam Nawaz ordered strict enforcement of the ban on illegal use of loudspeakers and directed authorities to continue intelligence-based and combing operations. She stressed the importance of intelligence-sharing and close coordination among all relevant departments.

In view of the ongoing heatwave, she directed authorities to make comprehensive public welfare arrangements, including deployment of Rescue 1122 teams, firefighting equipment and emergency response resources. She also ordered strict monitoring of hotels and inns situated along procession routes.

The CM instructed authorities to remove open manholes, stray dogs, construction material and all other obstacles from procession routes. She warned officials against negligence and directed immediate covering of manholes and sewerage hazards, adding that inspections would be conducted to ensure compliance with safety instructions.

She further directed Suthra Punjab teams to maintain cleanliness, carry out water sprinkling and ensure fragrance arrangements along procession routes. Standardised cold water and beverage stalls would also be installed across the province to provide relief to mourners during extreme weather conditions.

The CM ordered the deployment of Rescue 1122 services, Clinics on Wheels and field hospitals along procession routes to provide immediate medical assistance. She also directed authorities to install route identification signboards and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to the public during Muharram.