The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), on the occasion of 9th Muharram, has enforced strict and foolproof security measures across the province, including the provincial capital, Lahore.
The arrangements are aimed at ensuring complete peace and order during religious processions and gatherings.
According to officials, real-time surveillance of all major processions and Majalis is being carried out through Smart Safe City Centers established in various districts. In Lahore alone, security monitoring is being conducted via more than 1,600 high-resolution cameras. Additionally, over 5,000 temporary surveillance cameras have been installed in other districts to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and rapid incident response.
The PSCA has also deployed representatives from police and other law enforcement agencies at all Safe City control rooms. These teams are working round the clock to closely monitor the situation and ensure swift coordination in case of any untoward incident.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Safe Cities Authority urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or emergency without delay by calling the Police Helpline 15. Citizens were also encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement for the collective safety and sanctity of the religious processions.
Separately, Punjab Chief Secretary (CS) Zahid Akhtar Zaman visited the central control room of the Home Department here on Saturday to review the security and monitoring mechanisms in place for Muharram processions and gatherings across the province.
During the visit, the Chief Secretary connected via video link with control rooms established in various districts and received briefings regarding the head and tail positions of ongoing processions. He emphasized the importance of constant vigilance and instructed all control rooms to remain fully alert. He also directed the district administrations and police to remain present in the field and to monitor the situation continuously.
“The Government of Punjab, under the guidance of the Chief Minister, has made unprecedented arrangements to ensure peace and order during Muharram,” said the Chief Secretary.
“All major processions and religious gatherings are being monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure public safety.”
The CS also inspected the Social Media Monitoring Cell (Cyber Patrolling Cell) of the Home Department. Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi briefed him on the department’s cyber surveillance operations. He mentioned that over 1,500 suspicious social media accounts have been reported so far, leading to the arrest of more than 100 individuals for spreading hate content and inciting violence.
Dr. Qazi briefed that live monitoring is underway for over 37,000 Majalis and more than 9,800 processions across the province. To support the police in maintaining law and order, 59 companies of the Pakistan Army and 79 companies of Rangers have been deployed throughout Punjab.