LAHORE: The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order reviewed security arrangements in the province for Muharram, while Chief Secretary (CS) Zahid Akhtar Zaman and IGP Dr Usman Anwar visited Multan to assess the security arrangements.
The committee reviewed security and CCTV monitoring arrangements of ongoing Ashura processions across Punjab during a meeting on Saturday.
Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi briefed the committee about the latest situation of Ashra and processions and added that some 113,000 policemen were performing duties across Punjab.
He said the Home department’s cyber patrolling cell had reported some 1,600 social media accounts to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. He said that 170 individuals were arrested for inciting hatred on social media.
CS and IGP visit Multan
Committee Chairman Salman Rafique said the government had ensured foolproof security arrangements at entry and exit points of all districts across Punjab. He said police, district administration, Rescue, health and sanitation departments were alert and working in close coordination.
Meanwhile, the CS and the IG reviewed the security of Multan’s central procession in Mumtazabad and inspected the monitoring systems at the control room established at the Deputy Commissioner office.
Divisional Commissioner Aamir Khayam Khan and Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid gave a briefing on the arrangements.
During their visit, they also met members of the peace committees, community leaders and organisers of Muharram processions and Majalis.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Zaman said the government took ‘exemplary’ measures to promote religious harmony, peace and brotherhood during Muharram. All departments were alert and working in close coordination, he added.
Dr Anwar said that foolproof security was being provided for all processions and gatherings.
“We are conducting intelligence-based operations in collaboration with the Special Branch, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies,” he said.
The IG said district administrations and law enforcement agencies were coordinating with religious scholars, procession organisers and other stakeholders.
“Control rooms have been set up in all districts, and live monitoring through CCTV cameras is ongoing round the clock,” he said.
South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani, Dr Qazi, South Punjab Additional IG Kamran Khan, CTD Additional IG Waseem Sial, Multan RPO Captain (r) Sohail Chaudhry and CPO Multan Sadiq Ali Dogar were also present during the visit.
The CS also visited the central control room of the Home Department to review security and monitoring mechanisms for Muharram.
During the visit, he received briefings on the ongoing processions from control rooms of various districts via video link. He instructed the control rooms to remain alert. He also directed the district administrations and police to remain present in the field and to monitor the situation continuously.
The CS also inspected the cyber patrolling cell of the Home department. Dr Qazi briefed him on the department’s cyber surveillance operations.
Dr Qazi said that live monitoring of over 37,000 Majalis and more than 9,800 processions across the province was underway.
To support police in maintaining law and order, 59 companies of the Pakistan Army and 79 companies of Rangers were deployed throughout Punjab, he added.
Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2025