Sukkur division Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi and DIG Police Sukkur Nasir Aftab jointly chaired a high-level meeting at the Commissioner’s Office on Monday to review security and other arrangements for maintaining peace during Muharram in the division.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Sukkur Dr Muhammad Amir Ansari, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sukkur Nadir Shahzad Khan, DC Khairpur Altaf Ahmed Chachar, SSP Khairpur Ameer Saud Magsi, SSP Sukkur Azhar Khan, DIB Incharge Saeed Qazi, SP Railways Shahid Nawaz, SSGC Sukkur Regional Head Jai Kumar Chawla, DHO Sukkur Dr Ali Gul Shah, and officers from law enforcement agencies, SEPCO, Public Health Engineering, municipal bodies, Civil Defence, and other departments.
Commissioner's Directives
Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Qureshi said the objective was to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and provide facilities to mourners during Ashura. “No one will be allowed to spread unrest or mischief during Muharram,” he said. He added that the district administration, police, Rangers, scouts, and Civil Defence volunteers would jointly perform duties in Sukkur, Khairpur, and Ghotki districts to maintain law and order.
The commissioner directed SEPCO and Sui Southern Gas Company officials to ensure minimum load-shedding during Muharram. He also instructed relevant departments to ensure cleanliness and proper lighting along procession routes and majalis venues, and to cover all manholes on roads to avoid untoward incidents. “Keeping past incidents in view, better arrangements must be made this time,” he said.
DIG's Recommendations
DIG Sukkur and Larkana Region Nasir Aftab said no new processions or changes to traditional routes would be permitted. He proposed establishing a joint control room under one roof for the district administration, police, Rangers, and other agencies to improve coordination. He urged permit holders of processions and zakireen to avoid provocative speeches that could hurt sentiments or lead to unrest. He also asked SEPCO to avoid load-shedding at night, saying it created serious difficulties for security forces deployed on duty.
Railway Concerns
During the meeting, SP Railways Shahid Nawaz and a representative of DS Railways Sukkur recalled that last year several accidents occurred at Nawabshah and Rohri stations when people travelled on train rooftops carrying alams, while some even climbed onto engines, causing difficulties for drivers. They said adequate arrangements should be made this time to prevent such incidents. The Railways offered to run special trains and asked the administration to identify stops and routes in consultation with DS Railways to facilitate mourners.
The commissioner directed DCs Sukkur and Khairpur to ensure organisers and zakireen educate participants on maintaining discipline. “Strict legal action will be taken against violators despite facilities being offered by Railways,” he warned.
District Preparations
DCs Sukkur and Khairpur informed the meeting that scholars from different schools of thought had been engaged in joint and individual meetings and instructed to follow SOPs. SSPs of both districts said DSPs and SHOs had been issued necessary directions, while meetings with Ulema were ongoing.
Final Directives
Concluding the meeting, Commissioner Qureshi and DIG Aftab stressed that Khairpur district in particular was sensitive in this regard and all possible measures should be taken to maintain peace. They noted that intense heat and humidity were expected during Muharram and directed that arrangements for sabeels and other facilities at majalis and processions be improved. They also called for heightened security at railway stations with assistance from Railway Police, and for CCTV cameras to be made functional to monitor suspicious elements.
