Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday directed all provincial departments to ensure comprehensive security, public facilitation and emergency preparedness arrangements for Muharram, stressing that recent regional tensions following the US-Iran conflict had heightened religious sensitivities and must be handled with respect.
Meeting to Review Muharram Arrangements
Chairing a meeting to review Muharram arrangements, CM Maryam praised the efforts of the home department, intelligence agencies, police, special branch, safe city authority, provincial ministers and district administrations, saying a coordinated effort was made down to the smallest level.
Maryam directed authorities to begin special surveillance immediately in sensitive areas identified as high-risk zones. She ordered the use of heat maps, deployment of additional personnel where required and greater use of technology along the majalis routes.
Surveillance and Monitoring
According to the chief minister, every majlis would be monitored through CCTV surveillance, while religious scholars and community opinion leaders were cooperating with the administration.
Referring to the recent conflict between the US and Iran, she said religious sentiments had been affected and urged all stakeholders to ensure peace in Pakistan. She instructed officials to facilitate participants in Muharram activities and reassure them of government support.
Security Arrangements
Maryam ordered the continuation of three-tier security arrangements, including holding points and multiple checking points. Referring to the suicide attack in a mosque in Islamabad in March, she said security personnel must remain vigilant.
She directed all RPOs and DPOs to train field formations to identify suspicious behaviour and signs associated with potential suicide attackers, including attempts to conceal objects beneath bulky or seasonally inappropriate clothing. "If any anomaly is detected, it should be dealt with immediately," she said.
She also ordered the continuation of combing operations and emphasised the importance of real-time intelligence sharing to prevent any untoward incident.
Technology Integration
The chief minister praised safe city authorities for introducing QR-coded panic buttons linked to emergency services. She directed officials to ensure that organisers and participants download and use the system.
"In case of an emergency, if the panic button is pressed, our entire security apparatus and the 15 emergency response system will become operational," she said.
Maryam said all majalis had been registered and religious leaders documented. She urged imams to use their sermons to encourage peaceful observance of Muharram and discourage any activity that could create a law and order problem.
Camera and Drone Surveillance
The chief minister also directed authorities to link private CCTV cameras to the safe city system in areas where government camera coverage was unavailable. Regarding drone surveillance, she instructed officials to establish a mechanism to distinguish authorised security drones from unauthorised aerial devices.
Heatwave Precautions
CM Maryam noted that Punjab was experiencing a heatwave and instructed assistant commissioners and district administrations to remain in the field. She ordered the provision of cold drinking water along procession routes and directed authorities to sprinkle water on roads to reduce temperatures.
She also ordered clear signboards along routes so participants could easily navigate processions. Construction material, debris and obstructions along routes must be removed immediately, she said.
Infrastructure and Safety
Maryam issued a stern warning regarding open manholes and uncovered sewerage holes. "I do not want to see any open manholes or sewerage holes," she said. She directed officials to ensure that protective nets and covers had been installed where required.
The chief minister ordered deployment of field hospitals, mobile clinics and Rescue 1122 teams along procession routes because of the extreme weather conditions. She also instructed authorities to establish uniform government camps for water distribution, information services and security assistance so that members of the public could easily identify official facilities.
Treatment of Mourners
Maryam warned officials against mistreating mourners. "Criminals and ordinary citizens must be distinguished. It is your duty," she said. "There is a way to deal with criminals, but ordinary people must be treated with care and respect." She said Islamic teachings emphasise respect for others and directed officials to listen to complaints from participants and resolve them promptly.
The chief minister also said she would discuss additional measures with her team to reduce the effects of extreme heat on participants during processions.
Civil Defence and Mock Exercises
Maryam directed authorities to involve civil defence personnel more extensively in field operations. She ordered mock exercises to be conducted over the next three days involving all relevant departments so that standard operating procedures could be tested and rehearsed.
Control Rooms and Monitoring
The chief minister directed districts to establish fully functional control rooms equipped with all required facilities and linked to the home department. She stressed that all available features and resources must be utilised.
Maryam ordered strict monitoring of hotels located along procession routes and instructed authorities to maintain vigilance before processions begin. She also directed officials to address the issue of stray dogs and remove hanging electrical wires that could pose hazards to mourners.
Action Against Hate Material
The chief minister ordered strict action against objectionable and hate material and called for close monitoring of individuals known for incitement or repeated violations. She said, "hate material contributes to unrest" and must be prevented.
Maryam also directed Information Minister Azma Bokhari to continue public awareness campaigns throughout Muharram.
Traffic and Field Presence
The chief minister instructed authorities to implement traffic management plans aimed at minimising inconvenience to the public. She urged provincial ministers to remain present in the field rather than supervise arrangements from their offices.
She also directed to ensure cleanliness along all routes and instructed authorities to spray perfume where appropriate to improve the environment for participants.
Proactive Approach
She stressed the importance of health services preparedness and said authorities should not wait for an emergency before acting. "We should not wait for any disaster to happen. A proactive approach saves us from disaster," she said.
