KARACHI: Security and management plan for Karachi’s Ashura processions was finalized, according to a press release from office of South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tabraiz Sadiq Marri.
The press release said that under the deputy commissioner’s supervision, plans for the main processions on Muharram 8 (Sunday) to 10 (Tuesday), including their routes and other arrangements such as administrative affairs and procession facilitators, were prepared.
It added that an emergency plan was also devised to deal with any untoward incident.
The press release said that the DC, assistant commissioners and all officers of District South would “personally oversee” the main processions, while two control rooms were set up by the district administration to monitor all routes through CCTV.
Moreover, two control rooms were set up by district administration to monitor all routes through CCTV. DC Marri said that all law enforcement agencies and city authorities, such as K-Electric, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and more, were in contact with District South’s administration. He requested public to keep an eye on their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to police at 15, 03302969218, 021-20502723 or 99205628.
Press release noted that cleanup, lighting, security and sewerage operations were already completed for main procession routes. A day ago, Sindh government imposed a ban on use of helicams or drones for video recording by media channels during processions and majalis from August 7-9.
Government also authorized station house officers concerned to register complaints under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code against those found in violation of ban. Government also banned pillion riding in province from Aug 5-11 as security measure.
The federal government had announced last month to deploy civil armed forces in all the provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure law and order during the month. They had also decided that strict monitoring of social media would be ensured to prevent the spread of hateful content and religious hatred.
Meanwhile, nearly 181 processions, carrying ‘taziyas’, would be taken out from various areas of the Islamabad capital territory (ICT). Over 165 ‘majalis’ would also be held.
As many as 378 majalis would be held in Lahore while 79 processions would be taken out. The main procession would start from Pound Street, Islampura, going through the civil secretariat, old Anarkali, and reach Khema Sadaat. It would culminate at Pound Street.
Over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed for the security.
Two main processions were taken out in Peshawar. The first procession was taken out from Imambargah Hussainia Hall at 10am while the second was taken out from Imambargah Bibi Sahiba at 3pm. A total of 16 processions would be taken out in the city, officials said.
More than 7,000 security officials have been deployed for security.
