–Aleem Khan directs best possible security arrangements for day of Ashura
LAHORE: The 9th of Muharram on Thursday was observed with due solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the battlefield of Karbala.
The traditionally significant areas of the city in connection with Ashura related activities remained Karbala Gamey Shah, Bibi Pak Daman, Shadman Colony, Model Town, the inside Mochi Gate, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Nisar Haveli, Bhati Gate’s Mubarak Haveli, Pando Street (Islampura), Minhajul Hussain, Niaz Beg village, Khaima Sadaat near Jain Mandir, Bhaekeywal Morr in Iqbal Town, Batapur, Samanabad, and Sadar.
Ulema and Zakireen shed light on the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions.
Strict security arrangements were also made to maintain law and order and provide security to the mourning processions. Walk through gates, snipers and thousands of police officers were deployed on the routes of the processions.
Control rooms were also set up while CCTV cameras were also placed to avoid any untoward incident. Traffic police also made a special traffic plan for the processions marking the 9th of Muharram.
Mobile phone service remained suspended during the day in different parts of the city as well.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan directed to ensure best possible security arrangements and strict monitoring on the day of Ashura and said that no stone should be left unturned to provide maximum facilities on the routes of processions.
Speaking during his visit to the control room set up at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, he said that every officer and official should remain vigilant till midnight of 10th of Muharram and perform his or her duties with diligence.
The senior minister, along with Minister of Law Mohammad Basharat Raja, visited the central control room at civil secretariat as well, where they were briefed about the centralised system attached with the safe city mechanism. He also directed the officers concerned to keep liaison with attached departments and media.
Aleem said the local bodies should ensure proper cleanliness arrangements at and around the routes of Ashura processions, adding that in each district, provincial ministers were on duty and they would keep an eye on the arrangements and the situation there.
Briefing the senior minister, Deputy Commissioner Capt (r) Anwarul Haque informed about the arrangements made by the district administration.
He gave a presentation on the routes of processions in Shadman, Walled City, Model Town and other areas of the city and said that all the departments concerned were on board and arrangements had been completed to meet any situation on Ashura.
