CM confident Muharram security measures to prove adequate

Mobile and internet networks to remain suspended from 8am to 10pm today and tomorrow

The Sindh chief minister ordered the law-enforcement agencies on Monday to ensure foolproof security on Tuesday and Wednesday - the 9th and 10th of Muharram - across the province.

“We have been holding regular meetings on the security of Muharram and have personally visited the route of main procession,” said Murad Ali Shah. “Therefore, there shouldn’t be any security issues.”

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting on Muharram security at the Chief Minister’s House.

Provincial law adviser Murtaza Wahab, chief secretary Siddique Memon, IGP AD Khowaja, and Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher wee among those present there.

The IGP said on the 9th of Muharram, there would be 528 majalis in Karachi, including 39 held by Sunnis. Similarly on the 10th of Muharram, there would be 403 majalis, including 23 held by Sunnis. There would be 279 and 289 processions on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram in Karachi respectively.

The IGP said overall, 25,674 police personnel, including 22,381 male cops, 389 female police, and 2,778 Razakars would be deployed in the province on the 10th of Muharram.

 

Procession routes

Giving details, the IGP said on the 9th of Muharram, a procession would start at 8am from Bab-e-Fatima Imambargah and enter the East district via Teen Talwar. From Bab-e-Fatima Imambargah via Liaquatabad No 10, it would take a U-turn towards Teen Hatti, and then proceed to Liaquatabad Dak Khana, Teen Hatti, Jahangir Road, Shah-e-Najaf Imambargah, Martin Quarters, Jamia Binori, Guru Mandar, Bahaduryar Jung Road, Soldier Bazaar and then reach Nishtar Park where it would merge into the main procession.

The main procession would start from Nishtar Park at about 12 noon. It will move on to Purani Nomasih, Saddar Empress Market, Regal Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Denso Hall, Plastic Market and reach Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.

The mourners will offer Zuhrain prayers at Ali Raza Imambargah on MA Jinnah Road and the procession will end at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar.

He said on the 10th of Muharram, a procession will start from Nishtar Park at 10am. It will head towards Purani Numaish, Sadddar Empress Market, Regal Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Denso Sall, Bolton Market, Plastic Market and end at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah at 6pm. The mourners will offer Zuhrain prayers near Tibet Center at 1.30pm. Khowaja also briefed the chief minister about the potential flashpoints of the main procession and said extraordinary security arrangements had been made there.

He said that there were four platoons of the reserve force which would be deployed at Nishtar Park, Numaish Chowrangi, Imambargah Ali Raza, Capri Cinema, Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market, Regal Chowk, Tibet Center, Saeed Manzil, Radio Pakistan, Eidgah Market, Ligh House, Bolton Market, Bara Imambargah, Baghdadi, Kharadar and Imambargah Hussainian Iranian.

Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher said on the 10th Muharram, the main Tazia procession would be joined by small Tazia ones emerging from different parts of the city on MA Jinnah Road and then proceed to Native Jetty Bridge.

He added that a large contingent of police would act as a buffer to keep mourners at a safe distance.

The chief minister said mostly people did not follow the traditional route and a wide gap developed between the head and the tail positions of the procession.

He also discussed the evacuation plan for mourners in case of any untoward incident.

 

Cellular, internet service 

On the request of the Sindh government, cellular phone and internet service will remain suspended for defined periods in Karachi on Tuesday (today) and Wednesday (tomorrow).

On both days, cell phone and internet service will be barred from 8am till 10pm. A senior Sindh government official said a request was also forwarded for suspension of cellular phone service in Hyderabad and Sukkur, but a positive response was still awaited from the federal government.  

 

Governor, LEA chiefs

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan on Monday had telephonic conversations with DG Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar, Sindh IGP AD Khowaja, and city police chief Mushtaq Mehar over the security plan being enforced for Ashura holidays.

The governor called for foolproof security and said all possible measures be made possible, including surveillance of major roads, Majalis congregations, and processions of Ashura.

Ebad said the government attaches foremost priority to the cause of safety and security of citizens, and all security agencies should perform a proactive role for ensuring law and order during Ashura.

He asserted that an effective security plan should be implemented in consultation and cooperation with concerned religious scholars and ulema. In this regard, Ebad called for close coordination among security and intelligence agencies and for the security plan to be implemented in letter and spirit.

 

Power supply

K-Electric has announced it would be exempting particular areas from loadshedding on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to facilitate consumers.  The power utility had already announced that uninterrupted supply was being provided to all identified areas since the start of Muharram. The utility’s management would remain in close contact with the commissioner’s office and other district management offices, read a KE statement.