Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Thursday said nearly 16,000 police, Rangers and Army personnel had been deployed under a five-layer security plan to ensure the peaceful conduct of the central 9th Muharram procession in the federal capital.
Talking to media outside Imambargah Asna Ashri in Sector G-6, from where the central 9th Muharram procession commenced, Rizvi said security planning for Muharram-ul-Haram had been underway for the past one and a half months and all arrangements had been finalized well in advance.
He said the security plan had been formulated in line with the directions of the Federal Interior Minister, who ensured the provision of all required resources for the smooth and secure observance of Muharram.
The IGP Rizvi said the procession route had been secured through the placement of containers, barbed wire and other security barriers, while Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) had also been deployed at key locations.
Rizvi said the central procession was being protected under a five-layer security system, with police, Rangers and Army personnel performing joint security duties.
He said digital surveillance was being carried out throughout the procession, while special control rooms established under the Mohafiz Muharram initiative were monitoring the situation round the clock to ensure timely coordination and emergency response. The IGP Rizvi said all entry points to the procession had been placed under strict monitoring and security personnel had been directed to remain highly vigilant throughout the event.
He reiterated that Islamabad Police, in close coordination with Rangers, the Army and other law enforcement agencies, remained fully committed to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere and safeguarding the lives and property of mourners during Muharram-ul-Haram.
Rizvi expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of citizens and all stakeholders, the religious observances would continue in a peaceful and orderly manner across the federal capital.