Haqnawaz shinwari
ABBOTTABAD
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed on Friday directed police officers to ensure foolproof security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram, ordering a fresh security audit of all sensitive locations, enhanced surveillance of processions and Imambargahs, and strict action against those spreading sectarian hatred or disturbing public peace.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting in Abbottabad, where the IGP reviewed Muharram security arrangements, the overall law and order situation, police services for the public, and the performance of Police Facilitation Centres in the Hazara region.
DIG Hazara Nasir Mahmood Satti briefed the meeting on the security plan for Muharram, including surveillance of sensitive locations, security arrangements for processions and religious gatherings, intelligence coordination, traffic management, and measures taken to facilitate citizens through Police Facilitation Centres.
The IGP said the security of processions, Majalis, Imambargahs and other religious gatherings would remain the police’s top priority during Muharram. He ordered a fresh security audit of all sensitive and highly sensitive places in view of prevailing security threats and directed officers to ensure the effective use of CCTV cameras, walk-through gates, metal detectors and other modern surveillance equipment along procession routes.
He also instructed police to strengthen checking at entry and exit points, maintain surveillance of rooftops and high-rise buildings, and keep snipers and quick response teams on alert to respond promptly to any emergency.
Mr Hameed directed district police officers to intensify search-and-sweep, combing and intelligence-based operations, warning that strict legal action would be taken against miscreants, individuals involved in provocative activities and those spreading sectarian hatred or rumours, particularly through social media.
He also called for close coordination with peace committees, religious scholars, procession organisers and district administrations to maintain communal harmony and ensure effective contingency planning throughout Muharram.
The IGP instructed officers to implement comprehensive traffic management plans, identify alternative routes and keep the public informed to minimise inconvenience during the religious observances.
Appreciating the performance of Police Facilitation Centres, he directed officials to further improve public services and ensure the prompt resolution of citizens’ complaints.
During the meeting, the IGP also ordered an intensified crackdown on criminal elements across the Hazara region, directing police to take indiscriminate legal action against those involved in drug trafficking, murder, attempted murder, robbery, dacoity, theft and other serious crimes.
“There is no room for any concession for criminal elements who destroy the peace of society,” he said, directing district police officers to form special teams to arrest proclaimed offenders and absconders through intelligence sharing, modern investigative techniques and inter-district coordination.
He emphasised that investigations into serious criminal cases should be conducted on merit, with transparency and professionalism, adding that protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the foremost responsibility of the police.
