15,000 personnel deployed for security of processions, majalis in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: As many as 15,000 personnel of Islamabad police, Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) would perform security duty to ensure peace during Muharram processions and majalis, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police (operations) Waqaruddin Syed.

In a press release issued by the police on Monday, the DIG said the capital police had finalised security arrangements for processions, religious gatherings and to ensure implementation of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.

Officials of the police and district administration have conducted meetings with the organisers of majalis and processions.

The DIG directed all SDPOs and SHOs to ensure strict security arrangements for the processions and majalis and carry out special checking of the participants.

It should also be ensured that the processions passed through the fixed routes and observed their timings strictly. The DIG also directed the officials for effective patrolling and use of commando vehicles for the purpose.

The police officers were also asked to take steps to curb wall-chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people. Patrolling officers must visit all the routes of Muharram processions and imambargahs.

All station house officers would gather complete information about volunteers performing security duties.Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in worship places during Muharram.

The DIG also asked citizens to cooperate with the police and assist the force to ensure effective policing.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has devised a diversion plan for three processions to be taken out on 6th Muharram (Aug 26), and decided to make special deployment for smooth flow of traffic on the alternative routes.

The first procession would be taken out from I-9/1 at 9pm that will culminate at Imambargah Jafferia I-9 after passing through street numbers 22, 24, 27 and U-turn on the Service Road.

During this procession, a diversion would be erected at the U-turn on the Service Road and street No 18 Service Road imambargah.

The citizens residing in I-9/1 may use Rawalpindi Faizabad, Pirwadhai Katarian Road and IJP road for their movement. The residents of I-9/2 may use the Service Road of Tuesday Bazaar, I-9 Service Road, IJP and Pirwadhai Faizabad road.

The second procession would be taken out from the residence of Zulfiqar Shah at 9pm and would culminate at Imambargah Qasar-i-Sakina Shakrial Highway in Khanna police area. Islamabad Highway at Shakrial point would remain closed from 10:30pm to 11pm.

Heavy traffic coming from Lahore would be diverted towards Rawalpindi from T-Cross while small vehicles would be diverted from Koral Chowk towards the old airport or Rawal Road and Murree Road.

Traffic coming from KRL Chowk would be diverted towards Tramri road, Park Road and Rawal Dam Islamabad.