Traffic police and security agencies in the country’s major cities have devised traffic plans to implement an effective security strategy ahead of Youm-e-Ali, which is being observed on June 6, the 21st of Ramzan.
Large processions will be carried out across Pakistan to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali and the plans have been designed to ensure foolproof security on the day.
KARACHI
According to the Sindh police’s finalised security plan, 5,572 police officers and constables will be on duty, while 72 police vehicles, 65 motorcycles and seven armoured vehicles will assist them in maintaining peace in the metropolis.
Furthermore, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP), Allah Dino Khawaja has ordered the officials concerned to provide additional security to Imambargahs.
He said that six of these congregation halls in the South Zone, including one in Lyari, three in Clifton and two in the city area are the most sensitive, while the total number of sensitive Imambargahs is 40.
Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister (CM) Fazulur Rehman, while presiding over a meeting on the city’s security situation, reviewed all security arrangements and directed the security forces to remove every wall chalking, banner and signboard promoting hate.
SUKKUR
Sukkur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Khadim Hussain Rind assured the availability of all resources that would be needed to ensure a smooth flow of processions and traffic on Youm-e-Ali here.
Talking to the reporters during a visit to the central procession’s route that will be taken on the day, the DIG informed that search operations were being conducted on a daily basis in Sukkur and extra attention would be given to the procession’s chosen route.
Moreover, Rind informed that special branch officials and a team of the Police Response Unit would be patrolling close to the central procession to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.
RAWALPINDI
In Rawalpindi, around 3,000 police personnel will provide security to the main Youm-e-Ali procession which begins from Mohanpura, late Tuesday night.
Additionally, the procession will be preceded by a thorough checking of the route by the bomb disposal squad, people will be required to go through walk-through gates at entry points during the time of the procession and CCTV cameras have been installed along the route as an extra security measure.
Police personnel along with Elite police, women police, Special Branch personnel, Police Qaumi Razakar (PQR), and volunteers will be responsible for guarding 98 majalis and 23 processions expected to take place in New Town, Waris Khan, City, Civil Line circles, Cantt, Saddar, Kahuta, Gujar Khan, Murree and Taxila.
LAHORE
Punjab’s chief city will be overlooked by the police and other law-enforcement agencies on Youm-e-Ali, whereas, the central procession will be guarded by the police, additional police officials, Dolphin Force, a Police Response Unit (PRU), police vehicles and motorcycle squads.
According to the plan, the central procession will be taken out from Imambargah Mubarak Haveli inside Akbari Mandi. It will be guarded with snipers on rooftops as it passes through the designated route to reach its port of call.