In view of security concerns, the Education Department has announced important and urgent measures in schools across the province.
According to the issued instructions, the morning assembly in all schools has been suspended until further notice to avoid large gatherings of students.
The Education Department has directed all teachers to immediately download the Safe City app so that in any emergency, the relevant institutions can be informed in a timely manner. The aim of this measure is to make communication between schools and law enforcement agencies effective.
In addition, orders have been issued to keep the CCTV cameras installed in all public and private schools fully functional. The concerned authorities have been directed to ensure the performance of the cameras and to keep the surveillance system effective.
The Education department has also issued instructions to the authorities concerned to immediately transfer funds to the accounts of the schools so that there is no financial hurdle in the security arrangements. Moreover, all schools have been ordered to immediately deploy security guards and post them on duty at the main gate.
The instructions have said that regular emergency drills should be conducted in schools and students should be provided with practical training and awareness regarding dealing with emergency situations.
Minister meets clerics to review security arrangements
Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique held an important meeting with a delegation of Ulema at the Home Department to discuss security arrangements for Youm-e-Ali (RA) and the overall law and order situation across the province.
The meeting was attended by prominent religious scholars, including Allama Dr Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Allama Rai Zafar Ali, Dr Mufti Intikhab Ahmed, Qasim Ali Qasmi, Syed Ali Mehdi Kazmi, Maulana Safdar Ali, Muhammad Raza Jafri, Syed Ali Mehdi Zaidi, Dr Sibtain Akbar, Sagheer Abbas Warraich, Chaudhry Safdar Hussain and Lal Hussain Tauhidi.
Secretary Home Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara, Additional IG Special Branch Imran Ahmer, Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari, representatives from the Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, Additional Secretary Internal Security, Additional Secretary Special Initiative Home and other relevant officers also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Fateha was offered for Syed Ayatollah Khamenei and other martyrs.
Addressing the participants, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the martyrdom of Syed Ayatollah Khamenei was a loss to the entire Muslim Ummah and that unity was essential in this time of grief.
He said extraordinary security arrangements would be ensured across Punjab on the occasion of Youm-e-Ali, adding that all possible measures were being taken to maintain peace and stability in the province.
Secretary Home Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi said that Ulema had played a very positive role in keeping protests peaceful and that all available resources were being utilised to ensure law and order across Punjab.
The religious scholars assured full cooperation with the Punjab government for the promotion of inter-sect harmony, peace and stability, terming consultation with scholars of all schools of thought a positive step.