The Chairman of the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, led an important meeting in Dera Ghazi Khan to assess the security and administrative measures for Muharram.
Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin and Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani were present at the meeting. Also in attendance were Secretary of the Home Department Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Additional IG South Punjab Muhammad Kamran Khan, Additional IG CTD Wasim Sial, and the Additional Secretary for Special Initiatives.
Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan Division Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Azhar Akram provided updates on the security strategy and administrative preparations.
The meeting revealed that thorough arrangements had been established for all 1,396 Muharram processions and 4,505 religious gatherings (Majalis) throughout the DG Khan Division.
Authorities had issued district-restriction orders against 197 religious speakers and zakirs, while restrictions on speaking had been placed on 106 individuals.
Additionally, the meeting noted that 264 individuals had been listed on the Fourth Schedule as part of security protocols.
Security plan formed for mosques, Imambargahs
A comprehensive security plan was developed for 4,746 mosques, 607 Imambargahs, and 2,570 seminaries in the division. To support the police in maintaining order, seven companies of the Pakistan Army and nine companies of Rangers would be deployed in the area during Muharram.
Khawaja Salman stated that exceptional security measures were being implemented to ensure peace during Muharram. Bilal Yasin mentioned that peace committees throughout Punjab were actively contributing to fostering religious harmony and maintaining law and order.
Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stressed the importance of mandatory training for volunteers assigned to processions and religious gatherings to improve security and crowd management.
Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, the Secretary of the Home Department, instructed all districts to activate their cyber patrolling units. He noted that the central control room set up at the Punjab Home Department was consistently receiving reports from all over the province.
Members of the Peace Committee praised the Punjab Chief Minister for her efforts in fostering inter-sect harmony and supporting mosque imams.
They committed to fully cooperating with the administration to ensure a peaceful observance of Muharram in the division. They mentioned that they were jointly inspecting procession routes with the administration and personally checking places of worship to guarantee smooth arrangements.
Later, the Cabinet Committee toured the main Muharram procession route and various Imambargahs, where they assessed security and administrative preparations. The committee also met with procession and Majalis organisers to inquire about the facilities available for participants.
During the visit, officials updated the ministers on security measures and arrangements along the procession routes.
The ministers stated that comprehensive arrangements had been made for security, drinking water facilities (Sabeels), and medical assistance for mourners taking part in the processions.
They honored the officers and personnel working in extreme weather conditions, calling them heroes.
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