CM orders for a comprehensive security plan for Muharram

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that every possible step will be taken for protection of life and property of people during Muharram-ur-Haram and necessary instructions have already been issued to Provincial Cabinet Committee on Law and Order to maintain peace in the province.

He was addressing a high level meeting here today to review various proposals for giving a final shape to security arrangements in the province in view of the arrival of Muharram-ur-Haram.

The Chief Minister said that maintenance of law and order is the prime responsibility of the government and no effort should be spared for the protection of life and property of the people during Muharram-ur-Haram. He said that resources will continue to be provided for maintaining peace.

He directed that a comprehensive security plan should be evolved and its implementation should be ensured while even better security arrangements should be made than the last year for the protection of life and property of citizens. He said that responsibilities of police, administration and law-enforcement agencies have increased in the present situation. He said that foolproof security arrangements should be ensured in all districts before the start of Muharram-ur-Haram and special attention should be paid to the security of mosques, Imam Bargahs, worship places and sensitive spots.

Shahbaz Sharif said that indiscriminate action should be continued against the elements involved in delivering provocative speeches, wall-chalking and publication and distribution of such literature which promotes religious hatred. He said that implementation of the code of conduct should be ensured at any cost and warned that its violation will not be tolerated.

The Chief Minister said that security arrangements should be finalized for ensuring security of Majalis and religious processions during Muharram-ur-Haram. He said that in view of the arrival of Muharram-ur-Haram, all institutions concerned should remain alert and utilize all their energies for ensuring peace and law and order. He directed that law against display of weapons should be strictly implemented. He said that an effective strategy should evolve for observance of the timings and the routes of processions. He said that it is the time for unity and harmony.

He further directed that members of peace committees at provincial, divisional, district and tehsil level should perform their responsibility in an active manner.

Shahbaz Sharif further directed that core management teams be set up at police station, tehsil, district and divisional level while control rooms should also be established in districts and divisions.

He directed that the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order should visit all divisions of Punjab to review and give a final shape to security arrangements. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah, Spokesman Punjab Government Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, Inspector General Police, Secretary Home and authorities concerned attended the meeting.