KARACHI: More than 5,500 police personnel will be deployed across Karachi on Friday for the security of 8th Muharram processions.
Stringent security measures are being taken across the country, such as army deployment as well as a crackdown on sectarian content and hate mongers , ahead of Ashura (Muharram 10), which will be observed on Sunday.
According to the Karachi police, as many as 829 processions and 5,227 majalis are scheduled to take place during the first 10 days of Muharram.
“Karachi police [are] performing [their] duties at various locations in the city for the security of the 8th Muharram processions,” said a statement from the office of Karachi’s additional inspector general of police.
A total of 5,543 police officers and personnel will be present to monitor and secure the central procession, the statement added.
It continued that apart from senior officers and 4,957 constables and head constables of the Karachi police, 586 NGOs will also be performing duty for the security of the central procession. Expert police snipers will also be deployed alongside the main procession.
“Traffic police officers and personnel have been deployed to maintain traffic flow on main procession routes and crossings, including alternative traffic routes arranged for the 8th Muharram procession, so as to keep the traffic flowing and keep the public safe from any inconvenience,” the statement said.
“The Karachi police are providing complete security to the mourners participating in the 8th Muharram processions.”
The statement urged the public to keep an eye on their surroundings and immediately inform the police on Madadgar 15 of any suspicious or unusual situation.
Separately, Karachi police said that Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Javed Alam Odho visited the Jama Cloth Market near Iqbal Centre to review the security arrangements for the main procession.
He met with the organisers of the procession and discussed security-related matters, while also directing
the officers and personnel present at the spot to ensure “foolproof” security during the procession.
The statement added that surveillance was being carried out at the procession routes through CCTV cameras and the Command and Control Centre.
Police officials review security arrangments for 8th Muharram processions, July 4, Karachi. — Photo by Imtiaz Ali
In another statement, Karachi police said that South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mahzoor Ali also reviewed security arrangements for the procession near the city’s southern district.
South Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza was also present, along with other police officers.
The main procession started from Numaish Chowrangi and entered the limits of South district from Taj Medical Complex through the designated routes to finally end at Hussainia Irani Imam Bargah.
SSP Ali met the officers and personnel deployed on the procession route, instructing them to remain fully alert during duty. He directed the security personnel to keep an eye on any suspicious people, vehicles and objects around the procession to prevent any untoward incident.
He also met the organisers of the procession and conducted a joint inspection of the route, assuring them of providing complete security.
A day earlier, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said a total of 49,662 police personnel will be deployed across Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad from 8th Muharram till Ashura to prevent any untoward incident.
He added that 14,546 police personnel would be deployed for security of majalis, while 35,116 to protect Muharram processions. He further said that over 14,000 additional personnel had been assigned to ensure security of all events.
Also on Thursday, the Karachi Traffic Police (KTP) issued a traffic plan for 8-10th Muharram, outlining the procession routes as well as alternative traffic flows.
According to the KTP plan, Muharram processions on all three days will depart from Nishtar Park and culminate at Hussainiya Iraniyan Imam Bargah after following their traditional fixed routes.
Due to security reasons, MA Jinnah Road will remain closed from Guru Mandir to Tower. Additionally, vehicles performing sabeel, niaz or tabarruk were instructed to enter the procession route at Tower/Memon Mosque.
Meanwhile, Punjab Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad said in a statement that the rescue service’s secretary reviewed the final arrangements for Ashura and Muharram 9 on the chief minister’s instructions and over 12,000 personnel would be deployed on the weekend.
Rescue 1122 Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer said the arrangements included 815 ambulances, 2,166 motorbikes, 316 fire and rescue emergency vehicles to be deployed.
He said over 1,350 staff would be deployed in Lahore, including 55 emergency ambulances, 300 rescue motorbikes, 44 fire and rescue and specialised emergency vehicles.
Naseer said that additional rescue posts would be set up at more than 1,000 important places on Ashura and Muharram 9 across Punjab and the Provincial Monitoring Cell would oversee all rescue operations. In case of any major emergency or challenging situation, immediate relief teams will also respond from the nearby districts, he said.
He added that district officers would also monitor all operations and keep the Provincial Monitoring Cell updated.
Along with the Ashura arrangements, Naseer said that routine rescue operations would also continue and district officers would mark alternative routes for the provision of immediate rescue services.
Naseer added that providing immediate rescue services to the general public would be ensured at all costs. “In case of any negligence, laziness or shortcomings, strict disciplinary action will be taken immediately,” he said.
Naseer directed citizens to dial 1122 immediately from the mobile app, landline and PTCL in case of an urban emergency.
Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran stated that the Lahore Police was fully prepared to respond to any unforeseen situation during Muharram.
According to a statement from the police, Kamran affirmed that “anti-state elements will not be allowed to disrupt the peace of the city, and the duty of protecting citizens will be fulfilled at all costs.”
He made the remarks while inspecting the security setup for processions emerging from inner-city Mori Gate, as well as at Qasr-i-Batool Imam Bargah in Iqbal Town, Ali Raza Abad and other sensitive areas, the statement said.
“He (Kamran) closely examined the entry and exit points of processions, monitoring the checking process for all incoming participants,” the statement read. “He issued essential instructions to officers and Dolphin squads stationed at duty points, emphasising that no individual should be allowed to enter the gatherings without thorough physical screening.”
According to the statement, the DIG instructed officials to remain vigilant of suspicious individuals, unattended bags, and unusual activity, additionally directing that motorcycles and vehicles be parked at safe distances from procession routes.
“Complete adherence to the designated routes and timings of majalis and processions must be ensured,” the statement read.
DIG Kamran was quoted as saying that strict searches are being conducted at the city’s entry and exit points as part of a broader security framework. He appealed to citizens to “cooperate with police personnel during security checks in order to maintain a peaceful environment in Lahore”.
