Inam Ghani reviews security arrangements for Muharram 9th procession
Staff Reporter
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani said that the Punjab Police has been utilising all available resources to ensure peace and maintain the law and order situation on Ashura – 10 of Muharram throughout the province.
“Best security arrangements have been made for Majalis and processions and with the grace of Allah SWT, efforts of police teams and steps taken by the Punjab government, there has been peace and tranquillity in Muharram so far.”
IG Police Inam Ghani expressed the views while reviewing security arrangements for the main procession of 9th Muharram at Alamgir Road, Pando Street Islampura and giving instructions to the officers and answering questions of the media representatives here on Wednesday.
The IG Police said that all possible measures are being taken for security of the main processions and Majalis of Ashura Day and Insha-Allah as in the past, Muharramul Haram will pass peacefully this year as well.
He further said that Punjab Police has the support of Ulema from all schools of thought and all Ulema are united for inter-faith and sectarian harmony, national unity and solidarity, adding that Ulema role in forging unity among Muslims of great significance to maintain law and order in religious gatherings and processions from Ashura to 12 Rabiul Awal.
Inam Ghani further said that the forefathers had rendered great sacrifices for the establishment of Pakistan.
“So security of this country is the common responsibility of all of us and with this respect, Ulema are also playing united and constructive role whereas every citizen will also have to play it’s vital role.”
The IGP further said that on Ashura Day, CCPO Lahore including all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs would be present in the field and modern technology is being utilized for security of sensitive processions and Majalis.
He appealed to the people not to leave their homes unnecessarily on Ashura Day so that they would face less hassle due to closure of routes adjacent to procession routes while Home department has issued orders of ban on pillion-riding and closure of cellphone service on Ashura Day upon which all possible steps are being taken to implement it.
CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, DIG Operations Sajid Kayani and CTO Lahore Muntazer Mehdi while briefing the IGP about security arrangements at Safe City Mobile Command Centre, informed that the officers and personnel deployed for Muharram security duty are fully staffed, alert and vigilant and any activity or attempt to disrupt the peace in the society will not be allowed to succeed at all.
CCPO Lahore further said that monitoring of the procession is being ensured through CCTV cameras along with other every possible step.
While instructing the officers and personnel deployed on the route of the procession, the IG Police said that snipers should be deployed on rooftops of buildings and imambargahs on the way of main processions of Ashura Day, adding that the officers must ensure that no mourner enter any Majlis and processions without being frisked with metal detectors or passing through walk-through gates.
He also stressed that during security arrangements, traffic flow should be ensured through alternate routes for facilitation of the citizens.
