ISLAMABAD: An emergency has been imposed in all hospitals of the capital whereas 2,200 police officials will perform duty during the Muharram 9 procession.

It is worth mentioning that an emergency has been imposed in all hospitals of the federal capital to deal with any untoward situation. Beds have been vacated to accommodate patients in case of any incident and adequate supply of blood and medicines has been arranged.

Meanwhile, Islamabad CapitalPolice Chief Dr Akbar Nasir Khanon Sunday reviewed security arrangements in connection with the procession and decided to enhance vigilance and patrolling in various areas. According to details, ameetingwas held to review security arrangements at the Central Police Office presided over by Inspector General ofPolice(IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan.

Hesaid the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Sohail Zafar Chatha would monitor allsecurity-related arrangements. Mr Khan directed policeofficials to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organisers of majalis and processions. All wings of Islamabadpolicewere given directions to ensure complete coordination for the success of thisplan.

Emergency imposed in city’s hospitals, traffic plan chalked out for Ashura

He said that cooperation of organisers should be ensured with police and law enforcement officials.Police officials have been asked to remain vigilant during processions through safe city cameras, smart cars, surveillance cameras and drone cameras and it would be looked after by the DIG (Safe City). A main control room has been established at Safe City Islamabad. Police commandos will perform security duties at imam bargahs.

According to a statement, Mr Khan asked officials to ensure that processions pass through fixed routes at specified times. Close coordination must be maintained among all wings of Islamabad police and staff. The IGP said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of ma jalis and processions.

Patrolling officers must conduct visits to all the routes of processions whereas police officials must be present on the rooftops of all imam bargahs. The IGP said that female police officers should be deputed for female gatherings. He further directed SSP (Traffic) to issue an alternate traffic plan, adding that it should be ensured that parking lots are far away from imam bargahs.

Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police and standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government are being followed, the IGP said, adding that the bomb disposal squad would conduct checking of routes through robots and modern technology while entry of participants in the procession would be ensured after complete checking.

Rawalpindi

With more than 1,000 traffic police personnel deployed to facilitate traffic and ensure that the city remains secure, traffic police have chalked out a plan for Ashura (Muharram 10).

A police spokesman said traffic will be diverted to alternate routes. The road from Committee Chowk to Iqbal Road will be closed and there will be a diversion at DAV College Chowk from where all types of traffic will be blocked from entering College Road. Entry of traffic from DAV College Chowk towards Fawara Chowk will also be prohibited when the procession reaches Naya Mohalla. Chief Traffic Officer Naveed Irshad said that fool-proof traffic security will be provided for processions on Ashura.

Separately, 37 vehicle and motorcycle owners were issued challan tickets for having black glass windows.

A traffic police spokesman said that number plates must be used as per the pattern provided by the Excise department to avoid inconvenience.

Attock

The main Alam-o-Zuljinah procession was taken out in Attock on Sunday to pay homage to the great sacrifice of the grandson of the holy prophet Imam Husain and his companions in Karbala.

Participants of the procession recited nohas in groups and then offered Zuhr prayers at Fawara Chowk. Police and other law enforcement agencies had made unprecedented security arrangements for the processions. All roads leading to the venue of the procession were heavily guarded and procession routes were blocked with barbed wire.

All markets and shops along the route of procession remained closed and participants were allowed to enter the main procession after thorough checking at the walk through gates.

Zakir Zeeshan Baloch said that Karbala teaches us to remain steadfast on the way of truth. Imam Husain is not only one of the greatest heroes of our Islamic history but is a symbol of a unique philosophy and way of life which draws a line of demarcation between noble and evil forces, he said.

However it is need of the hour, that we realise our responsibilities as a nation and work towards promoting harmony among our ranks.

Later on, the procession after passing through its traditional routes ended peacefully at Imam bargah Hussainia, Attock Cantonment in the evening. Under strict security, water and milk stalls (sabeels) were set up by organisers with the collaboration of tehsil municipal administration at different points.

A special mobile medical team and Rescue 1122 also provided medical treatment to those in need on the spot.

Former minister Syed Wahid Hussain Bukhari, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Yawar Abbas Bukhari, former SAPM Zufi Bukhari, DPO Imran Razzaq, Assistant Commissioner Saman Abbas, Sub Divisional Police Officer Afzal Lodhi, Chief officer of the Municipal Committee Mubarak Ali, Chief Sanitation Inspector Amir Illyas and other district administration officials visited the procession’s route with intervals to monitor the security and administrative arrangements.

The mobile phone service remained suspended in the city.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2022