Inspector General Police Punjab Abdul Kareem chaired an important meeting regarding security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram at the Central Police Office. The meeting reviewed a comprehensive security strategy for the peaceful conduct of Majalis and mourning processions across the province.
IG Punjab Abdul Kareem directed that security arrangements for Majalis and mourning processions should be completed before Muharram-ul-Haram and full implementation of the security SOPs issued by the Home Department must be ensured. He said that in view of the current strategic situation in the region, security during Muharram is more sensitive and challenging than before; therefore, all officers should perform their professional duties with full commitment.
IG Punjab said that anti-state elements may try to disturb law and order through terrorism, mischief, and sectarian hatred; however, the Punjab Police is fully prepared to thwart any such conspiracy. He directed RPOs and DPOs to maintain close liaison with Peace Committees, scholars from different schools of thought, organizers of Majalis and processions, and all other stakeholders, and to preemptively resolve all trouble and flash points.
Abdul Kareem emphasized that all operational, logistical, transport, traffic, and anti-riot arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram should be completed according to the set timeline. He directed senior police officers to personally visit procession routes, Imambargahs, and sensitive locations to review security and traffic arrangements, while also ensuring removal of encroachments, road repair, patch work, and functionality of street lights in cooperation with the district administration.
He further directed that a better and more comprehensive security strategy be formulated for Majalis and mourning processions across the province including Lahore. RPOs and DPOs should review procession routes and ensure timely completion of all arrangements in coordination with the district administration. CTD, Special Branch, Traffic Police, Dolphin Force, and PRU along with other field formations should perform their duties responsibly in Muharram security arrangements.
IG Punjab said that during the Ashura days, Punjab Police will have full support of the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies, while additional force will be deployed at sensitive locations across the province including Lahore. He also directed the revision of Muharram security orders and special focus on flash and trouble points.
He said that to further strengthen citizens’ sense of security, search, sweep, and combing operations along with flag marches will be conducted in sensitive areas. Cyber patrolling and monitoring will be further enhanced to prevent sectarianism, religious hatred, and incitement on social media, while strict legal action will be taken against those involved in spreading hateful content without any discrimination.
IG Punjab clarified that processions and Majalis will only be allowed on designated routes and locations across all districts including Lahore, and strict enforcement of the Loudspeaker Act will be ensured. He also directed strict monitoring of individuals listed in the Fourth Schedule and effective use of CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and walk-through gates at sensitive locations. He further said that Muharram control rooms should remain active in all districts and stay in 24-hour contact with the central control room at the Central Police Office.
The meeting was attended via video link by CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, Additional IG South Punjab Muhammad Kamran Khan, Additional IG Special Branch, Additional IG CTD, all RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs, while Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara, RPO Sheikhupura Athar Ismail Amjad, AIG Operations Zahid Nawaz Marwat, and AIG Admin & Security Farooq Sultan were present in the meeting.