As many as 10,000 personnel of Islamabad Police and Pakistan Rangers would perform security duties during Muharram ul Haram, to maintain high vigilance and to thwart any untoward incident.
A total of 909 religious gatherings (Majalis) and 177 processions (159 traditional and 18 licensed) will be held.
According to the police plan, the religious gatherings have been divided into three categories as per security aspect and 122 Majalis have been placed in Category A, 492 in Category B and 295 in Category C. While 14 processions have been put in Category A, 91 in Category B and 72 in Category C, said a press release.
The plan has been prepared by the capital police in view of National Action Plan (NAP) following directions of IGP Islamabad Tahir Alam Khan. All wings of Islamabad police have been also given directions to ensure complete coordination for success of this plan.
As per strategy, activities of people being put under surveillance following fourth schedule will be strictly monitored.
Similarly, those scholars or persons from defunct organizations banned to enter in Islamabad would not be allowed at any cost to participate in any kind of activity.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajid Kiani has directed all SDPOs and SHOs to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities in the slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city.
He also directed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organizers of Majalis and processions.
The SSP has directed for strict security arrangements on these occasions and special checking of participants through metal detector.
Rangers will also assist Islamabad police to ensure elaborate security arrangements. The SSP also ordered all SHOs to make proper light arrangements after negotiations with concerned authorities and also to weed out bushes in the various areas in the vicinity of worship places.
The processions will pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has also asked SSP (Traffic) to ensure arrangements for avoiding any inconvenience to road users and special deployment should be made for smooth flow of traffic at alternate routes when processions will be carried out.
It should be ensured that parking lots are far from the processions with proper security arrangements there and metal detectors would be used at entry and exit points too.
The SSP has said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of Majalis and processions and it should be covered through large strength of policemen.
He also asked all SPs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people.
Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials.
The IGP said lady Police should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and Jawans would perform security duties outside the Imambargahs.
All Station House Officers (SHOs) should get the complete bio-data of those volunteers performing security duties. Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram.
