JHANG: The Punjab Home Department has directed district coordination officers (DCOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to plan foolproof security during the mourning days of Muharram as militants can strike to avenge their losses in the Operation Zarb-i-Azb.

An official circular by the Home Department states banned outfits Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and Sipah-i-Sahaba can create the law and order situation during Muharram. To avoid any eventuality, the district administration must enforce the code of conduct about Muharram besides talcing security measures for traditional mourning processions and majalis.

The districts have been told to hold meetings of district intelligence committees, peace committees and emergency boards daily during Muharram.

The district administrations are to establish emergency control rooms and care management teams.

The other directions include arranging standby generators, banning fiery orators and hate materials, removing hate graffiti, posters and banners, holding crackdown on vehicles with fake number plates, mobilising civil defense and volunteers and connecting district control room with the central control room through video conference and CCTV links.

The government has told DCOs and DPOs to restrict the movement of people on the fourth schedule and follow guidelines about Muharram processions and majalis.

Jhang DCO Raja Khurram Shahzad told Dawn in the light of the directions, a plan had been devised to ensure the law and order situation and to implement the Muharram code of conduct. He said all arrangements would be made in consultation with religious people, specially the license holders of majalis and processions.

AC: The Punjab Services and General Administration Department has notified Imran Asmat as Jhang assistant commissioner vice Muhammad Shafiq who was made section officer.