RAWALPINDI: A total of 65 processions, 16 of them categorised as most sensitive, eight as less sensitive and 41 as normal, will be taken out on Ashura in Rawalpindi amid tight security arrangements.
The processions will be monitored by about 2,000 CCTV cameras installed under the Safe City project in the garrison city on Sunday.
A central control room has been established in the Safe City building to monitor the situation. Snipers have also been deployed on the rooftops of buildings located along the routes of the processions.
On 10th Muharram, 112 majalis will be held in the garrison city out of which 12 have been categorised as ‘A’, 14 placed in category ‘B’ and 86 categorised as ‘C’.
Snipers deployed on rooftops of buildings located along procession routes; two control rooms established
In addition to other security measures, a total of 8,000 officers and officials, including 5,500 police personnel, will be performing security and traffic duties.
As part of the traffic plan, 1,000 traffic police personnel will be deployed to manage traffic on alternative routes. The city traffic police have also issued a diversion plan for 10th and 11th Muharram.
A police spokesman said more than 1,000 volunteers would also assist with security, as over 8,000 officers and personnel would be on duty during Muharram.
Walk-through gates will be installed at the entry points of the processions, and every individual entering will be subjected to full body searches and security checks, City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani said.
The procession routes will be searched and swept before the processions begin. Streets, roads and other paths along the routes will be sealed with barbed wire and barriers, the CPO added.
He said full implementation of code of conduct and the directives of the Punjab government would be ensured during Muharram. All necessary steps will be taken to ensure foolproof security and peaceful processions.
Meanwhile, personnel of the Pakistan Army, Rangers and police conducted a flag march that started from the Police Headquarters on Saturday and passed through various areas of the city as part of preparations to ensure foolproof security during Muharramul Haram. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Kashif Zulfiqar led the flag march.
Officers from the Pakistan Army, Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies participated in the march.
The flag march began from the police headquarters and passed through different parts of the city.
Talking to Dawn, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said two control rooms had been established in Rawalpindi, with one at the Safe City Centre and the other at the Rawalpindi
Municipal Corporation offices at Liaquat Bagh.
“The patchwork on procession routes and the cleaning of drains have been completed. A joint team of the municipal corporation, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) will remain on the route of the procession,” he said.
The deputy commissioner further stated that the implementation of the code of conduct issued by the government regarding Muharram would be ensured in every case.
He added that holidays of all allied departments had been cancelled.
Mr Cheema said more rains are predicted during the current monsoon. “Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) will make arrangements to ensure no water accumulates in case of rain during the Ashura procession,” he said.
He added that de-watering sets, suction machines and other machinery had already been deployed in low-lying areas along the procession route to drain out water in case of rain.
The official said that sabeels had been offered by the Punjab government at five main points along the traditional procession route.
“Health camps have been set up, while a clinic on wheels will also be available to provide medical treatment to participants. The weather is hot and humid and we have made arrangements accordingly,” he said.
Four ambulances will also be stationed at these camps to deal with any emergencies.
On the other hand, the government has cancelled the leaves of doctors and paramedical staff in three government-run hospitals in the garrison city to deal with any emergency on Ashura.
It has put the city’s three allied hospitals — Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital — on high alert.
The provincial government has issued directives to arrange lifesaving drugs, blood bags and allocate 30 to 40 beds in each of the three hospitals to deal with emergencies.
On the recommendation of intelligence agencies, the provincial government has suspended the Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad for Muharram 10.
The bus service will remain closed between Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday.
