Army, Rangers to Support Police in Muharram Security: Punjab Cabinet Committee

APP

Rawalpindi: The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order visited Rawalpindi on Friday to assess security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram, following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

The committee meeting, chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, was held at the Commissioner’s Office. Provincial Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth attended the meeting in person, while Provincial Minister for Industries Chaudhry Shafay Hussain participated via video link.

Among those present were Members of the National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb and Malik Abrar Ahmed, Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Additional Inspector General (IG) Special Branch Rao Abdul Karim, Additional IG Punjab Shahzada Sultan, and senior officials from the Counter-Terrorism Department and Special Branch.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfaraz Alpa briefed the committee on the preparations. The meeting was informed that security arrangements for 4,374 Majalis and 1,003 processions across the Rawalpindi Division had been finalized.

Officials shared that district-wise entry bans had been imposed on 169 Zakireen and speakers, while 89 others were prohibited from delivering speeches during Muharram. Additionally, 184 individuals in Rawalpindi had been placed on the Fourth Schedule.

The committee was told that five companies of the Pakistan Army and six of the Rangers would assist the police in maintaining security throughout the division.

Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for any violations of the Muharram code of conduct, stressing the importance of punctuality in processions and gatherings. He noted that comprehensive security measures were being ensured across the province.

Law Minister Sohaib Bherth called for strict implementation of the Home Department’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and stated that main procession routes would be monitored using drone cameras.

Home Secretary Dr. Qazi underscored the need for a crackdown on sectarian and hate speech on social media. He added that all major events across Punjab would be monitored via CCTV cameras.

Deputy commissioners, district police officers from across the Rawalpindi Division, and representatives of relevant institutions also attended the meeting.