ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday directed the security agencies to carry out air surveillance of sensitive places in the capital city and put the army on alert to meet any eventuality during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain on Tuesday.
The minister issued the directives while presiding over a meeting to review the security arrangements for the Chehlum day here on Sunday afternoon.
Unlike previous years, the authorities are more concerned about the security situation on the Chehlum day after the recent incidents of sectarian killings in different parts of the country.
Last month, the people of Rawalpindi saw curfew for the first time in the history of the city after a clash between two sectarian groups on the Ashura day.
According to an official handout issued by the Ministry of Interior, the meeting was attended by senior officials of the Islamabad administration and police.
The minister directed the officials to ensure foolproof security arrangements on the occasion.
He said intelligence agen-cies and civil armed forces were providing full support to the provincial governments in their efforts to maintain peace.
He said wherever required the armed forces should be kept on alert.
Any act of violence will be dealt with an iron hand, he added.
The meeting also reviewed the working of various departments functioning under the Ministry of Interior, including Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Immigration and Passports.
The minister instructed the directors general of the FIA and Passports as well as the chief commissioner and the IGP Islamabad to give a sense of security to the people and ensure better service delivery.
The minister said it was the duty of law enforcement agencies to provide complete security to the people and directed better coordination between provinces and the capital in this regard.
He directed the IGP to ensure increased vigilance in all parts of the federal capital and said a Rapid Response Force would be formed for Islamabad and Rawalpindi which would also have the support of Rangers.
