Special security arrangements will be made during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, and instructions have been issued to upgrade security at all Imambargahs and places of worship across the province before the commencement of Muharram.
Special security arrangements finalised for Muharram-ul-Haram across Punjab
LAHORE, Jun 04 (APP): Special security arrangements will be made during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, and instructions have been issued to upgrade security at all Imambargahs and places of worship across the province before the commencement of Muharram.
This was informed in the 54th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order held on Thursday at the Punjab Civil Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Provincial Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee Khawaja Salman Rafique, while Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin also attended. Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Bilal Akbar Khan, Sohaib Ahmed Bharath, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman were also present.
Provincial Secretary Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi briefed the meeting on arrangements and government instructions for Muharram-ul-Haram. It was informed that CCTV cameras, walk-through gates and metal detectors have been made mandatory for the security of Imambargahs across Punjab.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee Khawaja Salman Rafique said that on the special directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, exemplary arrangements have been made over the past two years, including provision of cold water, sherbet and langar for mourners during Muharram. He said extraordinary security arrangements have been ensured this year as well, and all instructions issued by the Home Department must be strictly implemented. He added that peace delegations of scholars for interfaith harmony are touring Punjab from June 1.
Co-Chairman Cabinet Committee Bilal Yasin said that only licensed and traditional processions and gatherings will be allowed across the province, adding that the committee itself will visit different areas to conduct a final review of arrangements.
Provincial Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property remains the top priority of the government, adding that peace committees should be activated up to tehsil level in coordination with religious scholars and mosque imams.
Provincial Minister Sohaib Ahmed Bharath said instructions have been issued to complete road construction and repair work before Muharram, adding that scholars of all schools of thought are playing a positive role for unity.
Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman directed that district-level control rooms be linked with the central control room of the Home Department for effective monitoring.
Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain stressed strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against illegal use of loudspeakers.
Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman directed that all arrangements be completed before inspections by the Cabinet Committee and emphasized launching an effective awareness campaign on SOPs for maintaining law and order during Muharram.
Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi said organizers of processions and gatherings should coordinate with law enforcement agencies through Public Safety One, adding that a cyber patrol unit has been activated to counter hate material on social media.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Secretary Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed, Secretary Excise Masood Mukhtar, IG Punjab Abdul Karim, CCPO Lahore, Additional IG Operations, Additional IG CTD, Special Branch, Chief PEFTECH, and other concerned officers. Commissioners, RPOs, DCs and DPOs across Punjab participated via video link.
