RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi is all set to observe Ashura amid tight security in and around the city.

More than 500 armymen and Rangers as well as a substantial force of 6,000 police personnel will be deployed in Rawalpindi.

A total of 15 main processions will commence from Yaadgar-i-Hussain, Satellite Town; Imambargah Balti, Angatpura; Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain, College Road; Imambargah Hifazat Ali, Bohar Bazaar; Imambargah Chamanzar Colony; Shah Chan Chiragh, Sadigabad as well as other Imambargahs.

The main procession will culminate at Qadeemi Imambargah after passing through Murree Road, Eidgah, Asghar Mall Road, Raja Bazaar and Jamia Masjid Road. Zakireen and religious scholars will highlight the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his companions for the cause of Islam at various places along the procession routes.

In accordance with the directives of caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, an extensive security plan has been put in place for Muharram and Ashura, mobilising the entire administration and police force of the Punjab government. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar inspected the main procession route in Rawalpindi. Provincial minister Dr Jamal Nasir and Additional Chief Secretary Interior Shakeel Ahmed were also present during the visit.

The officials, accompanied by the peace committee, inspected the route of the main procession as well as the monitoring mechanism of the control room set up at the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation.

Dr Jamal Nasir said the caretakerPunjab chief minister had entrusted the provincial ministers with the responsibility of overseeing security arrangements.

Emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order during Muharram, the chief secretary said all possible measures had been taken and the administration, police and law enforcement agencies were working diligently day and night.

He expressed satisfaction with the cleanliness and other arrangementsmade for the event. In case of rain, the chief secretary directed that the procession route should be kept clear to ensure smooth proceedings.

Highlighting the significance of religious harmony, unity and consensus, the chief secretary commended the role of peace committees in fostering an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood.

The IG Punjab said security would remain on high alert, adding that intelligence-based operations were being carried out to ensure foolproof security.

Meanwhile, Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Law and Parliamentary Affairs Kunwar Dilshad visited the routes of Ashura processions, Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain, Qadeemi Imambargah, Madressah Darul Uloom Raja Bazaar and Fawara Chowk.

He reviewed the security arrangements, sanitation and other administrative matters.

Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema and Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) Chief Executive Officer Rana Sajid Safdar accompanied him.

The adviser was briefed about the security plan for Muharram 10 processions.

Speaking on the occasion, Kunwar Dilshad expressed his satisfaction overthe security and sanitation arrangements. He said despite the rain, there was no stagnant water on the Muharram routes as rainwater had been removed in time by the RWMC staff.

He said all possible steps would be taken to ensure that Ashura was held peacefully and the Rawalpindi administration and police were fully active and alert.

The adviser to the chief minister said that peace committees had been mobilised at the police station level in Rawalpindi division.

He said scholars from all schools of thought and members of the peace committees would accompany the Ashura processions and would remain with them till the culmination of the processions.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has finalised arrangements for Ashura and completed patchwork on the routes of the mourning processions, repaired roads and streetlights and also removed encroachments.

Cantonment Executive Officer Imran Gulzar inspected the Imambargahs and reviewed the arrangements.

The City Traffic Police also released a traffic plan and deputed around 1,000 personnel to maintain traffic on Ashura. Checkpoints have been established at various points throughout the district and a ban on pillion riders is also being ensured.

Besides, sharp shooters have been deployed on rooftops of buildings while army and Pakistan Rangers have been placed on standby for Ashura.

City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani said security arrangements for Ashura had been completed.

He said more than half of the total police force would perform security duties with the main procession, while over 2,000 police personnel will perform security duties at majalis and other processions. More than 2,200 volunteers will also perform duties.

As part of security, walk-throughgates will be installed at the entry points of the processions and participants coming to join processions and majalis will undergo a complete body search.

Mr Hamdani further said that the police would ensure full implementation of the code of conduct and the orders of the Punjab government during Muharram.

He urged people to cooperate and completely adhere to the traffic rules to maintain law and order.

According to a diversion plan, traffic on Shah Allah Ditta Road will be diverted towards Dhoke Dalal, TB Hospital, Pirwadhai and Asghar Mall Road. Similarly, traffic would be diverted from Bakery Chowk towards Banni Chowk and Link Road. Traffic will also not be allowed to proceed towards Dingi Khoi and Jama Masjid Road and will be diverted from Hamilton Chowk and Banswala Chowk.

Moreover, traffic coming towards the old Imambargah Baltistan will be completely blocked at Pir Chauha Chowk. There will also be a diversion on both sides of Imambargah Yadgar-iHussain.

Wardens have also been directed to keep an eye on suspicious items while on duty.

RWMC workers` holidays cancelled The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has cancelled holidays of its staff and deployed additional workers to ensure cleanliness of Imambargahs and the Ashura procession routes.

Waste containers along the routes have been washed while drains have been cleaned and sprinkled with lime.

Workers will ensure manual sweeping during the processions as well and after the procession, mechanical sweeping will be carried out.

RWMC Chief Executive Officer Rana Sajid Safdar has said special cleaning arrangements have been made around the main Ashura procession routes and Imambargahs.