- Over 12,000 security personnel to perform security duties in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on Thursday has banned 11 sectarian agitators from speech and blocked 14 religious scholars to enter Islamabad for two months in order to keep peace during the upcoming month of Muharram-ul-Haram.
As per the devised strategy, activities of people put under surveillance in the fourth schedule will be strictly monitored. The action had been taken to curb any agitation and sectarian rift created by speeches which aim to fuel animosity and hatred between various religious sects, which can be prejudicial to the maintenance of public peace and order.
According to reports, in the current security environment and with a threat perception of terrorism, it had been apprehended that any break-out of law and order due to sectarian violence may be used by terrorists as an opportunity to achieve their objectives. Thus the ICT administration had banned sectarian agitators of different sects including Hafiz Muhammad Siddique, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Ghumman, Allama Tahir Ashraf, Moulana Abdul Khaliq Rehmani, Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqi, Maulana Muhammad Yousaf Rizvi alias Tokay Wali Sarkar, Pir Irfan Al-Mashadi, Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Dr Asif Ashraf Jalali, Allama Syed Zakir Maqbool Hassan, Hafiz Tassadaq Hussain, Maulana Muhammad Iqbal, Allama Ghazanfar Taunsavi and Allama Jafar Jatoi.
On the recommendations of special branch, the ICT administration had also banned 11 religious scholars and sectarian agitators, of different schools of thought, from speeches including Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid, Maulana Abdul Razzak Haideri, Maulana Abdul Rehman Muaviah, Qari Ahsan Ullah, Maulana Professor Zafar Iqbal Jalali, Maulana Imtiaz Hussain Kazmi, Maulana Liaqat Rizvi, Allama Sheikh Mohsin Ali Najfi, Agha Shifa Najfi, Allama Muhammad Ameen Shaheedi and Allama Nasir Abbas Jafri.
According to further details, as many as 12,000 personnel of Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers, and FC would perform security duties during Muharram, maintaining high vigilance to thwart any untoward incident.
Islamabad police had also finalised comprehensive security arrangements for the processions and gatherings during Muharram and decided to launch combing, as well as search operations, in various slum areas of the city, including Afghan habitats, to ensure foolproof security. This plan had been prepared by Islamabad SSP Sajid Kiani following directions of Islamabad IGP Muhammad Khalid Khattak and keeping in view the National Action Plan (NAP).
All wings of Islamabad police had been also given directions to ensure complete coordination for the success of the plan.
The SSP had directed all SDPOs and SHOs to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city. All the SPs had also been asked to monitor this search operation themselves and inform SSP’s office on a daily basis about progress.
The SSP also directed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organisers of majalis and processions and added that cooperation of organisers should be ensured with the police and law enforcement officials.
According to reports, a total of 909 religious gatherings, and 177 processions (159 traditional and 18 licensed) will be carried out. As many as 1,500 personnel of Rangers and 500 FC personnel will also assist Islamabad police to ensure security in the city. Police officials had also directed that patrolling officers must conduct a visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imam Bargahs and ordered the rooftops to be covered by the police officials.
Police officials had also directed that patrolling officers must conduct a visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imam Bargahs and ordered the rooftops to be covered by the police officials.
The IGP said that lady police officers should also be deputed for the female gatherings.
They have further ordered that all SHOs should get the complete bio-data of those performing security duties, and peace committees should be asked to ensure that no stranger was allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month.
Police had also directed that mandatory clearance certificates should be obtained by the organisers of processions, from the concerned police stations, before the start of the procession, as a part of effective security measure.
