Strict Security Protocols Amidst Muharram Processions

News Desk 

Islamabad: As the sacred month of Muharram unfolds, it marks a time of grief, unity and religious reflection for millions of Muslims. Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the G-9 sector of Islamabad, on Friday, July 4, to review the security arrangements for the following Muharram processions.

An official from the capital police stated that IG Rizvi was satisfied with the security deployment assuring the public that full proof measures are in place. The procession route is under surveillance by drones supported by Safe City cameras. P

olice and specialized squads have also been deployed at the front and rear ends of the procession to ensure immediate response to any unwanted incident.

Essential for the first ten days, it is a part of a well-coordinated, multi-layered security protocol that has become necessary for Muharram’s progression in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 

Muharram brings large-scale Shia mourning processions, involving Majalis and Sabeels, observed in prominent areas like G-9, I-10, and G-6 where Imambargah Asna Ashri, and Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazaar, Imambargah Qadeemi, and Tench Bhatta. 

In Islamabad, for these Ashura processions, tens of thousands Shias gather, which starts from Sector G-6 and proceed through various sectors, finally culminating at the Imambargah in G-6/2. 

In Rawalpindi,  the major route for the procession involves Bohar Bazaar, a densely populated area, Banni Chowk, and Fawara Chowk. 

A series of regulations is enforced, aimed at protecting public safety and avoiding sectarian tensions, which pose many risks during this sensitive period.

Maintaining Order

The key legal framework used during Muharram is the Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The main aim of this section is to prevent obstruction, injuries, or danger to human lives that might result from riots or affrays. 

It allows the district administrations to prohibit gatherings to fulfill the aims. This law is typically enforced for at least 10 days, particularly in neighborhoods with a history of sectarian flashpoints. It helps control crowds and restrict unauthorized elements from disrupting peace.

Police are advised to enforce this law. Any obstruction or violation can lead to legal proceedings. Violating section 144 is a criminal offense under the section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code, and can lead up to imprisonment for six months, a fine, or both. 

Mobile phone services are also partially suspended during the peak procession hours, and entry and exit areas of the Capital are closely monitored. Access is entirely restricted in some areas of Rawalpindi, while shipping containers are used to block the roads as a precautionary measure.

Why is Security Necessary?

Unfortunately, Pakistan has witnessed multiple past incidents of violence during the processions. Targeted attacks and clashes that resulted in the loss of life were the results of security lapses in the past.

In 2012, a deadly terrorist attack on a procession in Dera Ismail Khan led to 7 deaths and several injuries. Likewise, in 2015, an Imambargah blast in Shikarpur killed 40 people. 

Although these incidents weren’t in the Capital but they caused ripples across the country. It led to hyper-vigilance in several areas, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where intersecting populations require careful management for peacekeeping.

Therefore, deploying drones surveillance, stationing Quick Response Forces (QRFs), and ensuring route clearance by bomb disposal squads are now non-negotiable steps in the security plan.

Like previous years, IG Rizvi has emphasized inter-faith and intra-faith harmony this year as well. The organizers of Imambargahs and city administrators were also brought in the loop to assist in security measures. IG Rizvi urged the citizens to avoid sharing provocative content on social media and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.

For assistance, volunteers from local areas were also deployed to coordinate food and water stalls, medical camps, and crowd control in congested areas, especially at the central Imambargahs in Islamabad and Raja Bazar Rawalpindi.

Prior to Ashura, the goal was clear; to protect the sanctity of mourning while ensuring the safety of every citizen, with care and caution.