Security arrangements reviewed for Muharram

Rawalpindi:Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Aamir Khattak on Monday reviewed arrangements including security made for Muharram.

Chairing a meeting the Commissioner reviewed all the arrangements finalized in Rawalpindi district for Muharram. Muharram is the month of peace and brotherhood, Engineer Aamir Khattak said adding, during this holy month, no one would be allowed to create chaos or disturb the peace.

He informed that a control room had been established in district Rawalpindi which would be functional 24 hours and focal persons of all concerned departments would be on duty. The most important thing is coordination between all the departments concerned, he added.

Training is being done through mock exercises for better management in any emergency situation, he informed. The Commissioner said that implementation of Muharram Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures would be ensured strictly.

All available resources would be utilized to maintain law and order situation, he informed. On the instructions of chief minister Punjab, provision of clean drinking water should be ensured for the mourners on the procession routes, he said.

The quality of arrangements should be ensured by visiting Majlis, Imambargahs and procession routes, he instructed the authorities concerned. There should be no complaint of garbage, hanging electricity and telephone wires anywhere on the procession route, he ordered.

He further directed that the patchwork of the procession route should be completed and the street lights should also be fully functional. Foolproof security arrangements are being made for Muharram, he said and informed that Majlis and processions are being provided with the best security.

A copy of the Code of Conduct has been sent to all the Majlis organisers and they have been taken on board, Engineer Aamir Khattak added. Implementation of the code of conduct would be ensured at all costs, he said.

Along with ensuring implementation of the loudspeakers and other restrictions, all photocopy shops have been instructed not to share any content that could spread religious hatred, he said.

Meanwhile, City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani chaired a meeting at the Police Lines Headquarters with members of the District Peace Committee and Anjuman Tajran to ensure a peaceful observance of Muharram ul Harram.

The prominent figures such as Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Rizvi, Pir Syed Izhar Hussain Shah Bukhari, as well as senior police officials including SSP (Operations), Chief Traffic Officer, and Divisional SPs from Rawal, Saddar, and Potohar attended the meeting. Addressing the participants, CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani stressed the importance of cooperation in maintaining peace and security during Muharram.

He expressed his commitment to make Rawalpindi a model of peace during this sacred month, highlighting the crucial role of community involvement. To ensure safety, Hamdani mentioned the deployment of all available resources to secure Muharram processions and gatherings.

He also noted the commencement of special monitoring of social media to prevent any provocative content that could stir religious or communal tensions. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating these regulations.

SSP (Operations) outlined stringent security measures, including thorough body searches for participants in processions and gatherings during Muharram. In the meeting, Ulema, the respected religious scholars, have assured their complete support to the police to maintain harmony, brotherhood, and tranquillity during the sacred month of Muharram.