Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique reiterated the importance of inter-sect unity and meticulous implementation of the standard operation procedures (SOPs) across the province. He said this during his visit to Sahiwal and Bahawalpur to oversee the security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram. According to a handout, in Bahawalpur, he presided over a meeting to review the preparations for Muharram processions and majalis. Commissioner Bahawalpur Nadir Chatta and RPO Rai Babar provided detailed briefings on the security measures. It was reported that security arrangements for all 1,409 majalis and 514 processions in the Bahawalpur Division have been finalized, with 165 individuals included in the fourth schedule list. A total of 17,000 police personnel have been deployed, and 15 companies of the Army and Rangers will be on duty during the peak days of Muharram (7th to 10th).

The minister emphasised the collective responsibility to ensure a peaceful Muharram and mentioned that special attention is being given to security across Punjab. He also highlighted the provision of water on official sabeels along the procession routes and the importance of adhering to SOPs issued by the Home Department. The meeting was attended by several Provincial Assembly members, including Dr. Rana Muhammad Tariq, Chaudhry Khalid Mehmood, Sardar Khalid Waran, and Shoaib Owaisi, along with all Deputy Commissioners, DPOs, and representatives of relevant institutions. Kh Salman also inspected the main procession route and Imam Bargahs in Bahawalpur. In Sahiwal, the minister reviewed the arrangements for the 782nd urs of Hazrat Farid-ud-Din Masood Ganj Shakar and inspected the main procession routes.

Two control rooms have been established at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and along the procession route. Kh Salman reported that all arrangements for the 1,749 majalis and 461 processions of Muharram in Sahiwal Division are complete, with 77 ulema and speakers being restricted. Additionally, 74 individuals have been added to the Fourth Schedule. Eight companies of the Army and Rangers will also be deployed for security during Muharram. The review was attended by Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rahman, Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, Home Secretary Noor Ul Amin Mengal, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, and other senior officials.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan