The Punjab Police ensured stringent security arrangements across the province, including Lahore, on the fifth day of Muharram-ul-Haram, deploying more than 40,000 officers and personnel to safeguard mourning processions and majalis.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, a total of 559 mourning processions and 3,967 majalis were held across the province on 5th Muharram-ul-Haram. In Lahore, 42 processions were taken out while 420 majalis were organized under comprehensive security measures. More than 21,000 community volunteers also assisted law enforcement agencies in maintaining security and facilitating mourners during religious gatherings.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem said that security arrangements across the province would remain on high alert throughout the Ashra of Muharram-ul-Haram, adding that all available resources were being utilized to ensure law and order.He said strict implementation of Section 144 imposed by the Punjab government was being ensured, while aerial firing, display of weapons, dissemination of hate material and other provocative activities remained strictly prohibited.
The IGP emphasized that no procession or gathering would be allowed outside designated routes and approved venues. He added that all activities were being continuously monitored through the surveillance network of the Safe Cities Authority and district administrations.
Abdul Kareem said that personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, Traffic Police, Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU) and other field formations had been deployed to perform Muharram security duties across the province.
He directed officers to ensure strict enforcement of the Loudspeaker Act and take indiscriminate legal action against elements involved in spreading hate material and inciting content through social media platforms.
The IGP further said that control rooms established in all districts had been linked with the Cntral Police Office’s central control room and would remain in constant coordination throughout Muharram-ul-Haram to ensure effective monitoring of security arrangements and prompt response to any untoward situation.