On the directions of Inspector General Police Punjab Abdul Kareem, Punjab Police remained on high alert across the province on the occasions of Eid-ul-Adha, Youm-e-Takbeer and Friday. Earlier, the IG Punjab had issued instructions to all RPOs, DPOs and field officers to further strengthen security arrangements. IG Punjab said that additional force should be deployed at mosques, Imambargahs, Eidgahs, parks, recreational spots, highways and sensitive installations, while Dolphin Squad, PRU, Elite Force and Quick Response Force should continue patrolling continuously.
IG Punjab Abdul Kareem offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at District Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh. On this occasion, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, Additional IGs, DIGs, DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran, DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza, CTO Lahore Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi, AIG Admin and Security Qazi Farooq Sultan, retired and serving officers and personnel participated. After Eid prayers, special prayers were offered for the security, development and prosperity of the country. IG Punjab laid a floral wreath at the memorial of police martyrs, offered salute and recited Fateha for the elevation of their ranks. After offering Eid-ul-Adha prayers, IG Punjab Abdul Kareem mingled with the force, talked to officers of different units and lady police personnel and inquired about their issues. IG Punjab also distributed Eid gifts among the police band and Class-IV employees.
IG Punjab said that due to the unparalleled sacrifices of Punjab Police martyrs, peace prevails in the country today and citizens are performing Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi in a peaceful environment. He stressed that giving sacrificial hides to proscribed organizations or extending any kind of assistance to them is a crime under the law, and citizens should donate hides only to institutions approved by the Punjab Charity Commission.
Spokesperson Punjab Police said that more than 45,000 officers and personnel were deployed for the security of Eid congregations at 30,630 mosques, Imambargahs and 907 open places across the province, while 316 Quick Response Force teams also remained on duty. For security arrangements, 11,130 metal detectors, 327 walkthrough gates and 15,273 CCTV cameras were utilized. Additional force was also deployed at sensitive mosques, Imambargahs, Eidgahs, parks, graveyards and recreational places in Lahore and other districts.
On the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Youm-e-Takbeer, IG Punjab Abdul Kareem congratulated the nation and said that May 28 is a historic day which made Pakistan’s defence invincible. Punjab Police reiterates its commitment on Youm-e-Takbeer to protect the country’s internal frontiers and the lives and property of citizens. IG Punjab said that Punjab Police stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces in making the defence of the homeland impregnable and protecting it from internal and external aggression. We will shed the last drop of our blood to keep the country free from terrorists, anti-state and miscreant elements. IG Punjab said that full security was provided to more than 100 rallies and events held across the province on Youm-e-Takbeer, while more than 4,000 officers and personnel remained deployed on duty.
IG Punjab directed further tightening of security on Friday and the third day of Eid-ul-Adha and said that strict vigilance should be maintained on Fitna Al-Khawarij, Fitna Al-Hindustan and other anti-state elements. Plainclothes personnel should be deployed at sensitive locations, combing operations should continue and cyber patrolling should be made effective to curb hateful content on social media. He also ordered strict action against aerial firing, display of weapons, one-wheeling and kite flying, while directing that all resources be utilized for the convenience and protection of citizens at Murree and other tourist spots.
Moreover, IG Punjab Abdul Kareem took notice of the incident in the area of Bhakkar Saddar Police Station where two persons were killed and five injured in an exchange of fire between two groups, and sought a report from RPO Sargodha. IG Punjab directed DPO Bhakkar to utilize all available resources for the immediate arrest of the accused. DPO Bhakkar Shahzad Rafiq reached the spot along with senior officers and forensic teams, while special teams have been formed for the arrest of the accused.
IG Punjab Abdul Kareem paid tribute to the police martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the suicide attack on Lahore Rescue 15 building on May 27, 2009, on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the incident and said that we salute the great sons and their families who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.