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Islamabad: Islamabad Police on Sunday finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the processions, religious gatherings during Muharram ul Harram and decided to launch combing as well as search operations in various slum areas of the city especially Afghan habitats to ensure fool proof security.
A special meeting presided by Inspector General of Police Islamabad Bani Amin Khan was held here Sunday which was also attended among others by DIG (Security) Ehsan Sadiq, AIG Sultan Azam Temuri, Masood, SSP Islamabad Muhammad Yousuf Malik, SSP (Traffic) Dr. Moeen Masood, SP Sajid Kyani, SP Muhammad Ilyas, SP Faisal Bashir Memon, SP Muhammad Ishaq, SP ch.Liaqat Ali all DSPs, SHOs and other police officials.
The IGP directed all SDPOs and SHOs to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities in the slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city.
He also directed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organizers of Majalis and processions. He said that cooperation of organizers should be ensured with the police and law enforcing officials.
It was told that a total of 909 religious gatherings (Majalis) and 177 processions (159 traditional and 18 licensed) will be held. The IGP directed for strict security arrangements on these occasions and special checking of participants. He said that special arrangements should be made for checking of `burqa-clad’ women participants in a prestigious way and to install walk through gates at the entrance points of Majalis.
He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions thorough using metal detectors.
Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures, are in place by the police as well as peace committees, the IGP maintained.
It was told during the meeting that Rangers and FC will also assist Islamabad police to ensure elaborate security arrangements. The IGP also ordered all SHOs to make proper light arrangements after negotiations with concerned authorities and also to weed out bushes in the various areas in the vicinity of worship places.
He said that it should be ensured that processions will pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. The IGP also directed for effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for the purpose.
The IGP was told that a control room has been set up for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad police and staff and other necessary equipments to this control room have been provided which would work round the clock.
The IGP asked SSP (Traffic) to ensure arrangements for avoiding any inconvenience to road users and special deployment should be made for smooth flow of traffic at alternate routes when processions will be carried out. It should be ensured that Parking lots to be far away from the processions with proper security arrangements there and metal detectors would be used at entry and exit points too.
He said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of Majalis and processions and it should be covered through large strength of policemen.He also asked all SPs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people.
Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials. The IGP said that lady Police should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and Jawans would perform security duties outside the Imambargahs.
All Station House Officers (SHOs) should get the complete bio-data of those volunteers performing security duties. Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram.
For more information, contact:
Capital Territory Police Islamabad Pakistan
Data centre H-11, Admin Block, Police Head Quarter, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 925 8371 Ext (160)
Fax: +9251 444 3180
Email: webmaster@islamabadpolice.gov.pk