By Qasim Ali
LAHORE:Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique on Monday said that extraordinary security arrangements would be ensured across the province on the occasion of the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA) in line with the directions of Punjab chief minister.
He was chairing an important meeting held at the Punjab Home Department to review security arrangements for Youm-e-Ali (RA), while Secretary Home Ahmed Javed Qazi briefed participants on the province-wide security plan.Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said additional security personnel would be deployed at mosques, imambargahs, places of worship and shrines across Punjab. He urged religious speakers to avoid objectionable or provocative speeches against any sect and said strict action would be taken against display or carrying of weapons across the province.He said institutions responsible for disaster management, including Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and the Health department would remain on high alert. “No compromise will be made on the safety of the people of Punjab,” he added.Secretary Home Ahmed Javed Qazi said all field formations had been directed to ensure strict implementation of the security plan to maintain law and order on Youm-e-Ali (RA). He said quadcopters would be used for aerial surveillance of major mourning processions.He also urged citizens to report sectarian or objectionable content on social media to the WhatsApp numbers 03073087777 and 03073097777 so that prompt action could be taken.Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Abdul Karim said that all arrangements for Youm-e-Ali (RA) had been finalised and security agencies were on high alert. He said strict checking and security measures would be ensured at entry and exit points of cities across the province.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara and other senior officials while Additional IG Counter Terrorism Department Wasim Ahmed Sial, Additional IG Punjab Special Branch Imran Ahmar, the Lahore Police chief, commissioners and regional police officers from across Punjab also attended the meeting through video link, and gave briefings on the arrangements.
