A number of measures are underway to beef up security for 1,521 Imambargahs in Sindh where 11,272 majalis are scheduled to be held during the fast approaching Muharram, the first month of Muslim calendar.
Senior officials of provincial police department led by Inspector General Ghulam Haider Jamali reviewed the arrangements for Muharram at a meeting at the central police office and also extensively reviewed steps taken for safety of participants of processions to be taken out from these centers.
Given the fact that 4,335 mourning (chest beating) processions and 1,295 tazia processions comprising replica of sacred building and symbol will be taken out, it was agreed that both majalis and processions will be covered in accordance with a level of sensitivity.
The Sindh police chief appreciated that the department had already initiated surveillance of sensitive points and suspected elements.
The meeting expressed its satisfaction that survey of routes and venues of processions was also in progress while search and sweep operations were underway in coordination with Rangers and intelligence agencies.
The officials attending the meeting finalised arrangements for surveillance of majalis and processions via cameras at different locations besides vehicles fitted with cameras for mobile surveillance.
Approval for 200 portable cameras placed at the disposal of police department linked to control room of IT department was said to further strengthen the security arrangements.
Moreover, in compliance to the directives of Sindh chief minister zero tolerance would be adopted towards misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking and spread of hate literature. For the purpose, close coordination with the district administration as well as with the religious leaders was said to be developed.