Sindh General of Police (IGP), , Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari would personally monitor security details across Sindh from the Command and Control Centre established at the Central Police Office (CPO).
The IGP said that safety of all `Majalis’ across in Sindh would be his top priority and deployment of police commandos at sensitive places besides deploying plain clothed and uniformed policemen and walk through gates at `Majalis’ and processions would be ensured.
The IGP also banned entry of certain Ulema and Zakirs in Sindh to ensure non violence. Crackdowns against distribution of hate literature, cassettes and CDs were ordered. Security details of clerics on terrorist’s hit lists were also reviewed.
Shah Faisal Town on alert for Muharram: Administration of Shah Faisal Town finalized arrangements to facilitate the mourners during the month of Muharram. In a meeting chaired by Parliamentarians Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan and Dr Nadeem Maqbool emergency was declared in the town till the tenth day of the Islamic month and leaves of all staff were cancelled. The parliamentarians said that everyone would need to play their part for maintenance of peace and promotion of inter faith harmony in the city.
Shah Faisal town Chief Officer, Kamal Mustafa, MPA Nishat Muhammad Zia Qadri, officials of the Water Board, KESC, Police and Rangers were also attended the meeting.
Red security details and coordination with clerics in the interior: Sukkur Zone Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police, Dr Amir Shaikh urged religious scholars of all sects to ensure harmony, brotherhood and serenity among their ranks in accordance with the Islamic message of peace and teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad during the holy month of Muharram
Addressing Ulemas and police officers from Sukkur, Khairpur, Naushroferoz and Ghotki districts at his office, Amir told that Rangers and police had been deployed at potential sectarian flash points and pickets had been set up across all the districts. He said that 32 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been installed in Khairpur and Sukkur to monitor the Muharram processions.
The DIG said that procession routes would be fully secured and said that arrangements would be finalized after respective clerics would share their procession schedules and routes with authorities. 900 small and large processions are expected during the first ten days of the month.
Several suspects arrested during raids: Security forces are continuing the search and clearance operation in several areas of the metropolis and several suspects have been arrested during such raids. According to media reports, the security forces are conducting raids in several areas after getting crucial information regarding the terror attacks in the city during the holy month of Moharram.
The information has been provided by the intelligence agencies and interior ministry, sources told. Acting on a tip off, Rangers and police raided Federal B Area, Gulberg, Gurumandir, Patel Para and Baloch Para and arrested several suspected persons. Snap checking was also reported in several areas.
Earlier citing security reasons, the government not only banned riding motorcycles but also decided to suspend cellular services in Karachi and Quetta today. Interior Minister Rehman Malik had announced that motorbikes would not be allowed to come on the roads from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM and gave no exemption after receiving an information that motorcycles would be used in terrorist attacks at public places. Malik said that the mobile phone services would also remain suspended in both the cities from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Moreover, markets in the said cities have also been directed to conduct business only from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday. Rejecting this outrageous ban, different trade bodies raised voice against it, urging relaxation as businesses were already down in the dumps. Chief Justice Sindh High Court, however, has dismissed Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s orders regarding the ban on motorcycle riding in Karachi, issuing notices to IG Sindh, Home Secretary and Advocate General Sindh.
