Daily Times

LAHORE: The last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan (Jumatul Wida) remained peaceful under tight security arrangements in the provincial capital.

A large number of followers visited mosques to offer special prayers, as the day holds key significance for Muslims. Prayers were also offered for the prosperity of and solidarity and unity among the Muslims. Personnel of special police forces were deployed at sensitive places including mosques and imambargahs. The citizens were allowed entry into the mosques and imambargahs only after thorough search.

The city police have also chalked out a security plan for the eve of Ramazan 27 and Eid holidays to avoid any untoward incident across the metropolis. More than 10,000 police official would perform their duties on the occasion.

The police department would also take the services of Elite Police Force, Mujahid Force, Quick Response Force in addition to personnel in plainclothes from other intelligence agencies for round the clock patrolling in all sensitive areas. The personnel deputed at different police stations are also directed to keep a vigilant eye on all crowded places situated in their respective jurisdiction.

These steps have been taken in the wake of increasing rush in markets before Eid and the upcoming auspicious night of Ramadan 27. Although the excitement for Eid is less this year due to massive load shedding, poverty and price hike, but robbers and road snatchers often strike in these days, as people are expected to carry money around these days for shopping.

Talking to Daily Times, a senior police officer said that a high profile meeting of senior officers has been held to chalk out a foolproof security plan to maintain law and order in the city during Eid holidays. He said all superintendents of police (SPs), assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) and deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), from both the operation and investigation wings, attended the meeting.

Station House Officers (SHOs) serving in different police stations across the city, asking not to be named, told Daily Times that they have already tightened the security at places of worship during Ramazan and special measures have been taken for the eve of Ramazan 27 and Eid.

DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said that Lahore police have finalised a security plan in which special reserves would perform duty for 112 processions on Eid day while volunteers would also assist in checking the citizens. He said that more than 10,000 police official would perform their duties to curb the nefarious designs of miscreants.

He said police have utilised all energies to ensure foolproof security in the city, and directed all divisional SPs to follow the security plan, warning that there would be no room for slackness in this regard.

He said that almost all the security arrangements have been completed to protect the citizens, adding that walkthrough gates and metal detectors would be set up at all major mosques besides deputation of heavy contingents of police on the occasion.