LAHORE: The Punjab police have approved a security plan for Eidul Azha, deploying over 40,000 police personnel to secure 26,500 mosques/imambargahs, 900 open places, and tourist spots across the province.

Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar chaired a meeting at the Central Police Office (CPO) on Wednesday, where the plan was finalised.

In Lahore, 8,000 officers and personnel will be deployed to secure over 5,000 Eid prayer gatherings. The security arrangements include 13,249 metal detectors, 217 walk-through gates, and 4,475 CCTV cameras.

Over 3,000 officers and officials are already performing security duties at 227 cattle markets across the province.

Dr Anwar said the force must adhere to the home department’s SOPs regarding the collection of sacrificial animal hides and intensifying surveillance of banned organizations and individuals listed under the Fourth Schedule.

He directed supervisory officers to ensure thorough checking and clearance of all mosques, Imambargahs, and Eidgahs before Eid prayers, deploy snipers on rooftops of category A mosques and Imambargahs, and deploy plainclothes commandos at Eid gatherings.

The IGP also instructed officers to oversee traffic management plans to ensure smooth traffic flow, prevent street crimes and highway robberies, and utilize all resources for the convenience and safety of tourists at Murree and other tourist spots.

Additional personnel will be deployed to manage the expected influx of visitors in Murree, with no negligence tolerated in this regard.

The IG reiterated the importance of adhering to SOPs for the entry and exit of vehicles in Murree.

new buildings: The Lahore police have planned construction of new buildings for the police stations of Shadman, Shadbagh, Sanda and Sattu Katla.

The decision was taken in a meeting held at the Lahore police headquarters, presided over by Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana.

Lahore Operations DIG Faisal Kamran was assigned the task of liaising with the relevant government departments in this regard.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of ongoing development schemes and welfare projects of the police department.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Kamyana emphasised the timely completion of the ongoing development projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

He stressed the importance of advancing the construction of new police stations and land acquisition for the purpose through effective coordination with the line departments.

The CCPO stated that providing modern resources to police stations to enhance public service delivery has been the top priority of the police department.

The staff deployed at police stations should adopt a sympathetic attitude towards the people during public dealing to address their issues on a priority basis, he said.

Other senior police officers also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024