Staff reporter
On the instructions of Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, Punjab Police have completed their security arrangements for Eid-ul-Adha prayers at mosques, Imambargahs, and open places across the province. IG Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, said that over 40,000 officers and officials will be deployed to secure more than 26,500 mosques and Imambargahs, and 900 open places across the province, including Lahore. In Lahore alone, security for more than 5,000 Eid prayer gatherings will be managed by over 8,000 officers and personnel. Additionally, 498 special police units and 260 Quick Response Force (QRF) teams will be deployed for security across the province. Eid security arrangements will also include 13,249 metal detectors, 217 walk-through gates, and 4,475 CCTV cameras. IG Punjab mentioned that more than 3,000 officers and officials are performing security duties at 227 cattle markets across the province.
Dr. Usman Anwar said that a comprehensive strategy has been formulated for the protection of mosques, Imambargahs, Eid gatherings, and citizens across the province. Additional personnel will be deployed for the security of parks and recreational spots during the Eid holidays. IG Punjab instructed supervisory officers to strictly enforce SOPs to maintain law and order, emphasizing that activities like one-wheeling, aerial firing, kite flying, and hooliganism will not be tolerated. Dr. Usman Anwar stressed the importance of adhering to the Home Department’s SOPs regarding the collection of sacrificial animal hides and intensifying surveillance of all banned organizations and individuals listed under the Fourth Schedule involved in illegal activities. IG Punjab directed supervisory officers to ensure thorough checking and clearance of all mosques, Imambargahs, and Eidgahs before Eid prayers. Snipers should be deployed on the rooftops of category A mosques and Imambargahs, and plainclothes commandos should be deployed at Eid gatherings. He instructed the CTO Lahore and district traffic officers to personally oversee the traffic management plan across the province to ensure smooth traffic flow during Eid. Effective measures should be taken to prevent street crimes and highway robberies. Dr. Usman Anwar emphasized utilizing all resources for the convenience and safety of tourists at Murree and other tourist spots during Eid holidays. Additional personnel should be deployed to manage the flow of traffic due to the expected influx of visitors, and negligence will not be tolerated. IG Punjab also reiterated the importance of adhering to the SOPs for the entry and exit of vehicles in Murree.
