Moharram Security: DIG Ops Ashfaq Takes Lahore Police Formations Into Confidence
LAHORE– Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations wing) Lahore Ashfaq Khan Sunday said Lahore police are indiscriminately providing security to the programs of followers of different schools of thought successfully to observe their sacred programs with the sense of complete protection.
“We will provide foolproof security to all the sacred programs of the Muharram ul Haram including majalis and mourning processions this year. Police officers should maintain constant liaison with members of the Peace Committees, religious leaders of all sects including Shia community and license holders of majalis to ensure peace and law and order in the city.”
SHOs of all the respective Police stations can play pivotal role in maintenance of peace during the Ashura and Muharram ul Haram.
Ashfaq Khan was presiding over a high level meeting of all the Divisional SPs, DSPs, SHOs, Chowki Incharges and Muharrars at District Police Lines Qilla Gujjar Singh.
SSP Operations Lahore Ismail-ur-Rehman Kharak, SP Security Muhammad Naveed, SP Dolphin Squad Bilal Zafar, SP VVIP Security Mehmood ul Hassan attended the meeting. DIG Operations Lahore Ashfaq Khan directed the concerned officers to resolve intra-sect and inter-sect disputes before the arrival of Muharram ul Haram and obtain Surety bonds from the stake holders to make all the programs peaceful.
DIG Operations directed SPs and Circle Officers to personally monitor the affairs of briefing of Police force deployed at Muharram programs, logistic matters, checking and clearance of roots.
He further directed to strictly ensured implementation on Sound System Act alongwith timely start and conclusion of majalis and other programs. Ashfaq Khan said that Lahore Police will ensure peaceful Muharram this year as well following the record history of Lahore as a peaceful city.
Lahore Police (Operations Wing) Commander said, to avoid any nefarious designs of the enemy, Lahore Police will be on high alert and follow the SOPs and security plan chalked out to organize all the programs of Muharram in a peaceful manner. Search and sweep operations, geo tagging, picketing and checking of tenants will be ensured.
He further directed that construction of bunkers at the roofs of Imam Bargahs, installation of walkthrough gates and CCTV cameras alongwith provision of metal detectors for search purposes should be ensured well before Muharram ul Haram. Ashfaq Khan said that three layers security would be provided to the participants of the main mourning processions of Ashura-e-Muharram.
The processions and other sensitive programs of the Muharram will be continuously monitored through the CCTV cameras of Punjab Safe Cities Authorities. Strict action will be initiated against distribution of any kind of hate material and wall chalking based on sectarianism.
DIG Operations said that all the related officers should have complete knowledge regarding the logistic and human resources at Police stations, Circles and Divisions level. Overall performance of all the Police officers and officials is regularly reviewed through stocktaking.
Officers with good performance will be awarded whereas others with poor performance will be punished on the basis of this monitoring. DSPs and SHOs also gave suggestions in the meeting for conducting the programs of Muharram in peaceful manners.— PRESS HANDOUT
