LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the implementation of a threetier security plan for Muharram as over 125,000 police personnel will perform security across the provinceand the Army and Rangers have also been requisitioned for the purpose.
The CM also appealed to the organisers of religious gatherings to immediately download and activate QR-coded panic buttons installed at 4,700 Imambargahs across the province.
During a briefing on Muharram arrangements here on Monday, the chief minister was informed that the QR-coded panic button system had been introduced for the first time in Punjab.
Upon scanning the QR code, the relevant security and administrative agencieswould be alerted instantly and respond without delay.
The CM ordered the authorities to ensure province-wide combing operations and realtime intelligence sharing at all costs. She also directed that a three-tier security plan be enforced throughout Muharram.
The meeting was informed that the use of drones during Muharram had been completely banned, while no unlawful use of loudspeakers would be permitted. The Punjab government would arrange drinking water stalls for mourners, while the Suthra Punjab Authority would ensure the use of fragrance along the routes of processions and religious gatherings.
According to the briefing, a total of 47,280 religious gatherings and processions willbe held across Punjab during Muharram.
A total of 125,641 police personnel will perform security duties across the province. To further strengthen security arrangements, 61 companies of the army and 76 of Rangers have been requisitioned.
Additionally, 30,445 trained volunteers will assist law-enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority will carry out live digital monitoring of Muharram processions.
More than 5,623 CCTV cameras have been acti-vated across the province, while 1,040 body cameras and modern drones will be deployed for field surveillance.
The meeting was informed that over 1,000 advanced 4G event cameras had been installed at highly sensitive locations. The LTE coverage would be provided at district headquarters in 11 districts in case mobile services are suspended. More than 1,400 officers will remain on round-the-clock monitoring duty from Safe Cities control rooms.
The CM directed the authorities to intensify intelligence-based operations against anti-state elements and banned organisations. The meeting was told that 43 targeted IBOs had already been conducted across Punjab.
‘Strict enforcement of approved routes and schedules for licenced processions was also ordered.
No new procession or route will be permitted during Muharram, and any violation will face zero tolerance.
The government has also imposed a ban on hate speech, wall chalking and the display of weapons.
‘To curb provocative speeches and sectarian activity, restrictions have been imposed on 794 individuals, while the entry of 1,418 persons into specified areas has been prohibited.