LAHORE – Intense security measures, made by the law enforcement agencies across Punjab on the instructions of Punjab Government to maintain law and order and also to avoid any untoward incident, have led to the observance of Ashura Days peacefully, Pakistan Today observed.
Owing to serious threats for carrying out terrorist activities on main Zuljinah processions from militant groups especially from Lashkare Jhangvi (Al-Almi Group), the Punjab Police as well as Lahore Police have made elaborate security arrangements.
Law enforcement agencies including Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies remained on their toes while making security arrangements. It was also observed that law enforcement agencies adopted zero tolerance policy during Ashura Days to maintain peaceful atmosphere.
After serious threats and information about terrorist activities law enforcement agencies in Punjab on the directions of Punjab Government devised a comprehensive strategy to sabotage malafied intensions of different militant groups especially Lashkare Jhangvi Al-Almi Group regarding carrying out terrorist activities during Ashura days.
Punjab police in this regard, deployed 143,000 police personnel in all sensitive areas and mobile teams have started round-the-clock patrolling under supervision of the concerned SSP and Sub Divisional police officers for maintaining law and order, peace and sectarian harmony during Ashura Days. Officials of Rangers Punjab have also called to assist Punjab police in maintaining peaceful atmosphere.
Besides deployment of police personals, for the first time Special Branch of Punjab Police trained individuals of Shia Sect for keeping vigilant look on suspicious elements. Punjab police devised a three layer strategy and at outermost cordon officials from Rangers were remain deployed. Police officials were remained on their toes at middle cordon while private security of Shia Sect served at third and innermost cost cordon.
CCTV monitoring: Law enforcement agencies also ensured installation of security cameras at and around the route of main Zuljinah processions and also at Imam Bargah’s. Only Lahore police have managed to install about 100 moveable cctv cameras at and around the routes of processions. Police officials have also decreased entry points in main Zuljinah procession and in this regard closed all approached roads to the route of Zuljinah processions.
Police officials have also closed the routes of main Zuljinah procession by installing tents and barb wires. Patrolling of mobile squad was also intensified in their respective areas to keep vigilant look on the movement of suspicious elements.
The police had also accorded highest priority to maintaining sectarian harmony in the province. District administrations have also resolved sectarian disputes amicably through dialogue between religious scholars from different schools of thoughts.
After successful efforts of Punjab Police to ensure peaceful Ashura Days, all top officials of Punjab Government including Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khan Khosa applauded the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
IG, CCPO laud: Similarly Inspector General of Police Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar and Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Aslam Tareen have also appreciated the services of officers of Punjab Police for maintaining complete peace & order on the occasion of Ashur Days by ensuring exemplary security arrangements.
In a special order issued on Saturday form CPO for police force, the IGP said that officers of police department have foiled the designs of miscreants through performing their security duties with full devotion and commitment for which they deserve compliments. He expressed the hope that the police force would leave no stone unturned in coming up to the expectations of government as well as public in future.
The IG maintained that he was proud of the Jawans of his force who expressed high sense of responsibility and dutifulness for providing peaceful atmosphere to the participants of mourning processions round the clock. I am also thankful to the Ulema Karam, Members of Aman Committees and Officers of other departments for extending full cooperation to police in connection with maintenance of peaceful environment during Moharram-ul-Haram cum Ashura days, the IG concluded.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Muhammad Aslam Tareen has appreciated officers and officials of Lahore Police who had performed their outstanding duty, day and night, in order to ensure peaceful commemoration of holy day of Yom-e-Ashor, which enabled the Lahorites to mark Moharram days in peaceful and dignified manner.
CCPO highly appreciated the services of District Peace Committee, Ulema and Citizens for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere, brotherhood and religious harmony on the eve of Aashura.
He called upon Lahore Police personnel to continue to perform their duties with similar zeal, dedication and efficiency in the future. CCPO also appreciated traffic officers and traffic wardens for maintaining smooth flow of traffic during Moharram days and ensuring that no traffic jam occurs anywhere.
