LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Thursday that comprehensive security, monitoring and facilitation arrangements for Muharram processions and majalis had remained in place across the province with the provincial administration and law-enforcement agencies on high alert.
She said: ‘Punjab has introduced a new administrative and security model for Muharram this year, combining command-and-control measures with public facilitation initiatives.
For the first time, the CM said, the government deployed anti-smog guns and sprinkler systems in various districts to spray water along procession routes to provide relief to mourners amid intense heat and humid weather conditions.
She said all 4,836 imambargahs across Punjab had been linked through a QR-code system, enabling authorities tomaintain digital connectivity with organisers and facilitate rapid response where required.
Officials said medical and emergency services, including Rescue 1122, Civil Defence personnel, mobile health units, field hospitals and volunteers, have been deployed to assist mourners. Sanitation workers have also been assigned to ensure cleanliness along procession routes and around religious sites. A three-tier security plan has been implemented province-wide. More than 125,000 police personnel have been deployed, while 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers have been requisitioned to support security arrangements. In addition, over 30,000 trained volunteers are assisting law-enforcement agencies. The authorities are using modern surveillance technologies, including artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems, CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and geo-tagged video monitoring. TheProvincial Intelligence Centre is conducting round-the-clock monitoring of processions and majalis through a digital surveillance wall. Over 5,600 CCTV cameras are operational for Muharram monitoring, while more than 1,000 4G event cameras have been installed at sensitive locations. Authorities have also conducted 43 intelligence-based operations across the province as part of preventive security measures. To counter hate speech and sectarian content, a cyber patrolling unit has been activated.
Officials said more than 6,000 ‘objectionable’ social media accounts and pieces of content have been reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The officials said the government has also launched an LTEbased communication network to maintain coordination among security agencies in areas where mobile phone services may be suspended during Muharram. Real-time monitoring of processions, majalis and sensitive locationsis being carried out through Safe City and private surveillance cameras, while the provincial control room will remain functional round the clock.
A ban remains in force on the use of drones across Punjab during Muharram.
Section 144 has also been imposed, prohibiting the display of weapons, rooftop gatherings along procession routes, misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking and inflammatory speeches.
152,000 cops deployed As many as 152,000 officers and personnel of the Punjab Police have been deployed to perform security duties across the province on Muharram 10 (Youm-i-Ashura).
Chairing a meeting here on Thursday, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem issued directions to all senior police officers heading the divisional and district police across the province to put their personnel on high-alert for Ashura. He emphasised that no compromise would be made on the security of processions, majalis, and mourners.
The IGP directed the field officers to personally supervise security and traffic arrangements and ensure the deployment of additional personnel at sensitive locations.
He said that more than 152,000 officers and personnel would perform security duties across the province on Ashura.
Mr Kareem directed that strict vigilance be maintained on the activities of miscreants, including Fitna alKhawarij and Fitna al Hindustan. He stressed upon the officers to ensure implementation of the code of conduct and Section 144.
He urged religious scholars and community leaders to play an effective role in promotinginter-sect harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect so that an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood may prevail.
He said that security situation was continuously monitored through the home department, Punjab Safe Cities Authority, and control rooms established in all districts. The IGP further said that security screening had been made more effective through CCTV cameras, walkthrough gates, metal detectors, and other modern equipment.
He said that snipers had been deployed on the rooftops of important buildingslocated alongthe procession routes, while plainclothes commandos were also performing duties alongside the processions.
He added that full cooperation was being extended by provincial ministers, religious scholars, the Armed Forces, Rangers, and other security agencies.