Shahbaz Sharif chairs meeting to review security arrangements

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed that no effort be spared for maintaining religious harmony, brotherhood and law and order during Muharram ul Haram and all out resources be utilized for this purpose. He directed that even better security arrangements be made this year than the previous years and the security plan evolved for this purpose be fully implemented. He said that the cabinet committee should hold meetings on daily basis to review security arrangements and the implementation of the security plan.

He was presiding over a meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram ul Haram, here today. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Haroon Sultan, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Secretaries of Home, Auqaf, Information and Health departments, Commissioner Lahore Division, CCPO and DCO Lahore besides senior officials of law- enforcement agencies were present.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistan is passing through the most critical phase of its history and facing terrorism and other serious challenges. He said that the enemy is bent upon undermining the survival of the country and letting go no opportunity in this regard. He said that Pakistan has faced the most damage in the war against terrorism and 50 thousand precious lives have been lost. He said that nothing could be more important than maintenance of law order therefore maximum attention has been paid in this direction.

He said that a separate anti-terrorism force is being established while police is also being equipped with latest weapons. He said that provision of training and modern weapons to police is important but the whole nation will have to unite on a single platform to counter the challenges being faced by Pakistan and to foil the nefarious designs of the enemy and its practical demonstration will have to be given during Muharram ul Haram.

He said survival of the country demands that complete unity and solidarity be maintained against the enemy. The Chief Minister directed that additional police force in plainclothes be deputed at hotels, inns, railway stations and other places while a watchful eye be kept on suspects during Muharram ul Haram and security arrangements at sensitive places be further improved. He said that Youm-e-Ashoor processions be monitored through CCTV and these cameras be kept completely functional. He directed that a four tier security cordon be formed around Majalis and processions and conclusion of the mourning processions within the fixed time be ensured.

The Chief Minister further directed that senior police officers should accompany mourning processions and clearing of the routes be ensured while proper arrangements for food and tea be made for police officials performing duty. He said that law enforcement agencies should maintain a close coordination with each other so that immediate and effective action could be taken in case of any untoward incident. He said that moment to moment report be received at the central control room regarding law and order in the province. The Chief Minister further directed that walk-through gates and jammers be arranged for the safety of mourners participating in Majalis and processions. He further directed that provocative literature be confiscated and stern action be taken against elements involved in wall- chalking promoting religious hatred.

The Chief Minister directed that special teams be formed in this regard which should take prompt action. He also issued instructions for strict implementation of the ban on display of arms and directed that the code of conduct evolved in this regard be fully implemented. Stressing the need for maintaining an atmosphere of religious harmony and brotherhood through divisional and district peace committees in their respective areas, he directed that these committees should maintain a close contact with Ulema and Mashaikh of all schools of thought. He said that district administration should arrange generators and UPS for Majalis and mourning processions to cope with the problem of load-shedding.

The Chief Minister directed the members of cabinet committee to pay surprise visits to different districts on daily basis and submit a report on security arrangements. Shahbaz Sharif announced placing of his helicopter and aircraft at the disposal of the cabinet committee and said that they could use them for monitoring security arrangements during Muharram ul Haram.

Delegating responsibilities to provincial ministers to monitor security arrangements in their respective districts, the Chief Minister directed that all provincial ministers should personally monitor security measures in the districts assigned to them. He expressed the hope that an atmosphere of peace and law and order would prevail in the province during Muharram ul Haram due to the efforts of security institutions and cooperation of Ulema, elected representatives and the masses.

Earlier, Inspector General Police and Secretary Home highlighted the important features of the security plan evolved for maintenance for peace during Muharram ul Haram. CCPO Lahore informed about the measures taken for ensuring law and order in the provincial metropolis.