Security agencies should keep a vigilant eye on terrorists:Zulifqar Khosa

Lahore: Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab and Chairman Cabinet Committee Moharram-ul-Haram, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa has said that police and other security agencies should keep a vigilant eye on terrorists and criminal elements and ensure effective arrangements for public protection during Moharram at all costs.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of Cabinet Committee for security arrangements during Moharram-ul-Haram, at Darbar Hall of Civil Secretariat here today. Advisor to CM, Jehanzaib Barki, Member National Assembly Mian Marghoob Ahmad, Secretary Home Shahid Khan, Secretary Auqaf, Additional Secretary Information Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, senior police officers, Commissioner Lahore Division and senior officers of Specail Branch and other concerned departments were also present on the occasion. Senator Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that provision of security and other facilities to the mourning processions and Majalis during Moharram is the responsibility of the government and administration and in this regard administration and police should keep close contact from thana to division level. He said that security institutions should remain at high alert during Moharram and strictly monitor entry and exit points of the districts. Emphasizing upon the officers present in the meeting, he said that maintenance of law and order during Moharram is the top priority of the Punjab government and no sect or school of thought would be allowed to violate the code of conduct or hurt the sentiments of others by making provocative speeches. He said that all the departments should perform their duties in a coordinated manner like a team for the effective enforcement of Moharram Security Plan. The meeting was informed that code of conduct was violated in some districts but overall situation is satisfactory.

Chairman Cabinet Committee Moharram-ul-Haram, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that he has received information from some districts that people of some sects are indulging in violation of the code of conduct laid down regarding Moharram and neither themselves are recording their speeches nor allowing to the concerned departments for doing so which is a clear violation. He directed district administration and police authorities to take indiscriminate action against such persons in this regard.

Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khoosa directed the officers of police and security agencies present in the meeting to check hotels and inns especially the hotels near Data Darbar. He said that no guest house, hotel or madrissa is authorized to provide boarding and logging facilities to guests having no ID cards. He said that vehicles should be provided to Mobile Peace Committees comprising ulema of all sects so that they could personally check Majalis and processions on the spot and in case of violation of the code of conduct anywhere, should suggest action against person responsible of it.