ISLAMABAD, July 08 (NNI): The federal government on Monday approved the deployment of armed forces across the country to ensure security during the month of Muharram.
The governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, along with the administrations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, had all requested the deployment of army troops to maintain law and order during the significant religious period.
A notification issued by the Interior Ministry confirmed the army’s deployment across the country. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens during Muharram, a time marked by processions and religious gatherings.
The government in order to ensure foolproof security in Muharram has invoked Article 245 of the Constitution for deployment of Army soldiers in all the provinces.
The decision was taken on the requests of all provinces seeking Army deployment to assist the civil armed forces and police.
Army soldiers will also be on Muharram guard in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
Earlier, the Sindh government had contacted the military authorities for the army’s deployment in the province for the holy month. According to an Interior Ministry notification, army, Rangers, and FC troops will be deployed keeping in view the ground conditions.
The Sindh Home Department has prepared a road map for army deployment in Muharram. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the army will be deployed in Sindh like the rest of the country. The army is being deployed to help the civil administration, the order of the Interior Ministry says, The army will be deployed as per requirement in mutual consultation of the parties concerned and the home departments.
Later on, the Punjab government had requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers to ensure peace and order during Muharram throughout the province.
Sources indicated that the Punjab Home Department recommended to the federal government the services of 160 companies of the Pakistan Army and Rangers. Specifically, 81 companies of the Pakistan Rangers and 79 companies of the Army were requested to provide security from 1 to 10 Muharram.
These forces will be deployed across various districts in Punjab to address any potential security concerns.
Also in Punjab, in preparation for the security measures during Muharram, the government announced the implementation of Section 144 across the province. The restrictions will be in effect from the 1st to the 10th of Muharram.
According to the Punjab Home Department, the government has prohibited any new innovations in Muharram processions and majalis. The display of all types of weapons and incendiary materials in public places is banned unless permission is granted by a competent authority. This measure is intended to prevent any potential threats to public safety.
In a related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called a meeting to review the security arrangements for Muharram.
The meeting to be held at Interior Ministry in Islamabad will review security for Muharram Majalis and processions.
The minister will also issue directives for maintaining law and order during Muharram.
Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi will brief the meeting about the security plan for the federal capital.
On the other hand, Lahore Police have devised a comprehensive plan to provide security to processions and majalis during Muharram.
Spokesman for the Lahore Police said on Monday that 457 majalis of category A, 2,610 of category B and 801 of category C would be held in the city during the first 10 days of the holy month.
Further elaborating, he said that 17 licensed processions of category A, 74 of category B and three of category C would be taken out in the city, while 87 unlicensed processions of category A, 234 of category B and 43 of category C would be taken out.
He further said that over 11,000 police personnel and officers will perform duties during the first 10 days of the month.
On the other hand, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that foolproof security would be provided to majalis and processions. “Special arrangements will be made at the city’s hotspots.” He ordered the supervisors to remain on the field to provide security to category A processions and majalis.
CCPO Kamyana said that every moment of the processions would be monitored with the help of CCTV cameras.
Apart from that, he went on to say, lighting arrangements would be made along the routes of processions as well as at the venues of majalis.
“Lady constables will be deployed to frisk the bodies of female mourners before their entry in a procession or a majlis,” he said, adding, “We plan to install CCTV cameras, walk-through gates and metal detectors for the security of large processions.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is of particular significance to Muslims, especially the 10th day, known as Ashura. The period is observed with various religious events, including large public gatherings, which necessitate enhanced security measures. NNI
