By Mustafa Ali
LAHORE:Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, has commended the police force for making excellent security arrangements during Ashra-e-Muharram. IG Punjab said that the police force provided excellent security to over 38,000 Majalis and more than 9,200 mourning processions during the Ashra. Punjab Police spokesperson shared that IG Punjab appreciated the performance of the CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, and DPOs across the province. He said that the situation remained peaceful throughout Punjab, including the provincial capital, and no unpleasant incident was reported. Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, provincial ministers, advisors, and regional representatives provided excellent guidance for the security arrangements. Special Branch, CTD, and all operational units of Punjab Police deserve praise for their dedicated service. Punjab Police also received support from the Pakistan Army and Rangers in ensuring security during the sacred programs of Ashra-e-Muharram. IG Punjab expressed gratitude for the cooperation of citizens, religious scholars from various sects, institutions, and media. He directed the officers and personnel to continue working with the same enthusiasm for the protection of public lives and properties in the future.IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar Personally Oversaw Security Arrangements on Ashura Day. IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar himself remained in the field for monitoring security arrangements on Ashura Day. He visited the route of the main mourning procession emerging from Nisar Haveli. He interacted with police officers and personnel deployed around the Karbala Gamay Shah Imam Bargah and instructed the officers to stay alert while performing their duties. Senior police officers briefed IG Punjab about the security arrangements of the mourning procession. Dr. Usman Anwar appreciated the police personnel’s services while encouraging them. During his visit, Dr. Usman Anwar also met the mourners, inquiring about the security arrangements and facilities provided.Under the leadership of IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, police teams across the province remained on high alert despite heavy rain and harsh weather conditions, ensuring foolproof security arrangements for the mourning processions and Majalis. Security remained on high alert in Lahore and throughout the province, and additional personnel were deployed at sensitive locations. More than 134,000 officers and personnel of Punjab Police ensured security for the mourning processions and Majalis, with over 15,000 officers and personnel in Lahore alone. On Ashura Day, 2,730 mourning processions and more than 2,772 Majalis were held across the province. In Lahore, 46 mourning processions and 227 Majalis took place. In Sheikhupura region, 96 processions and 33 Majalis were held. In Gujranwala region, 362 processions and 302 Majalis took place. In Rawalpindi region, 202 processions and 322 Majalis were held. In Sargodha region, 427 processions and 518 Majalis were held. In Faisalabad region, 561 processions and 378 Majalis took place. In Multan region, 283 processions and 223 Majalis were held. In Sahiwal region, 119 processions and 47 Majalis took place. In Dera Ghazi Khan region, 429 processions and 639 Majalis were held. In Bahawalpur region, 204 processions and 83 Majalis took place.CTD deployed 700 personnel, Special Branch deployed 1,500 personnel, and Traffic Police deployed 5,570 officers for the security duties. Community volunteers assisted with security and checking arrangements for the processions and Majalis, totaling 33,000 volunteers. RPOs, CPOs, DPOs, and traffic officers themselves supervised the security and traffic arrangements on the field. Dolphin Squad, PRU, and Elite Force teams ensured effective patrolling along the routes of mourning processions and around the Imam Bargahs. The implementation of Section 144 enforced by the Punjab government was strictly observed. The activities were closely monitored using cameras from Safe City Authority and district administration. CCTV monitoring, walk-through gates, and metal detectors were used for ensuring thorough checking. Lady police officers were deployed for the security and checking of female mourners. Plain clothes commandos were stationed along procession routes, and snipers were deployed on rooftops. Special arrangements were made for maintaining traffic flow via alternate routes. Dolphin Squad, PRU, Special Branch, CTD, and all field formations assisted with the security arrangements for Muharram.G Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar also visited the Safe City Headquarters on Ashura Day. He reviewed the security monitoring process for the central mourning processions and important locations. MD Safe City, Muhammad Ahsan Younas, briefed him about the monitoring arrangements for the processions. During the briefing, it was informed that all sensitive locations were covered with additional portable cameras. Police communication officers and technical teams at the Safe City Center remained on duty 24/7. IG Punjab acknowledged that thanks to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s vision of a safe Punjab, the scope of Safe City monitoring has been extended to all cities and tehsils. This year, Safe City monitoring will be extended to 7,000 union councils across Punjab. All resources were utilized for ensuring security during the central mourning processions and Majalis on Ashura Day.
