The Punjab Home Department on Monday issued comprehensive security directives to all districts to ensure foolproof security and maintain law and order across the province during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
According to a Home Department spokesperson, subject to the moon sighting, the Chehlum would be observed on 20 Safar, corresponding to August 4 or 5, 2026.
The department directed all district administrations to ensure stringent security arrangements for Imambargahs, processions and religious gatherings, while only approved and licensed processions would be allowed to proceed on designated routes and within scheduled timings. The directives called for special security measures at sensitive locations, key installations, markets and other crowded places. Authorities were also instructed to conduct comprehensive security sweeps along procession routes and adjoining areas and ensure that processions of different schools of thought followed separate routes and schedules to avoid any untoward incidents.
District administrations were asked to prepare comprehensive traffic management plans to maintain smooth traffic flow, while parking areas for mourners would be established at least 500 yards away from Imambargahs and congregation venues. The department also directed authorities to share data on stolen vehicles with the Motorway Police and Punjab Traffic Police to prevent unlawful activities and ordered the immediate removal of construction debris from procession routes and surrounding areas.
The instructions further required thorough inspection of Niaz, Langar and Sabeel arrangements by the Special Branch, Punjab Food Authority and other relevant departments. Female police personnel would be deployed for the security of women participants, while walk-through gates, metal detectors, physical searches and CCTV surveillance would be mandatory at all entry points of Imambargahs and religious gatherings.
Multi-layered security arrangements would be implemented for sensitive processions and congregations, with trained snipers deployed at vulnerable locations. Authorities were also directed to ensure complete video and audio recording of all processions and gatherings, conduct flag marches at sensitive locations and enhance patrolling in vulnerable areas.
The department instructed district administrations to provide security training to volunteers after obtaining mandatory clearance from the Special Branch. Concerned station house officers (SHOs) were directed to obtain written certificates from organisers confirming satisfactory security arrangements.
The Home Department also ordered strict checking of people, vehicles and luggage at all entry and exit points of Punjab, enhanced drone surveillance along inter-provincial borders and riverine areas, and close monitoring of hotels, guest houses, bus terminals and rented accommodations through Hotel Eye and Travel Eye systems.
Shops and markets located along procession routes would remain closed after security clearance, while authorities were directed to ensure strict implementation of security plans for Chinese nationals, foreign missions, consulates, minority places of worship and other sensitive sites.
The department further ordered intensified monitoring of Fourth Schedule suspects and members of proscribed organisations, besides strengthening cyber monitoring to curb extremist, sectarian and anti-public order content.
Legal action would be taken against individuals spreading sectarian or inflammatory material through social, electronic and print media. The Home Department said WhatsApp numbers 03073087777 and 03073097777 had been activated for reporting objectionable online content.
The directives also stressed that speakers at religious gatherings would not be allowed to deliver objectionable remarks against any sect or school of thought. District administrations were instructed to strictly enforce the Loudspeaker Act under a zero-tolerance policy and initiate legal action, including restrictions on movement and public speaking, against provocative speakers.
District administrations were directed to formulate contingency plans for emergency situations and submit them to the Home Department, while the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, would provide daily reports on intelligence-based operations, search operations and surprise inspections.
The department also instructed authorities to ensure the availability of fire brigades, bomb disposal squads, Rescue 1122 services, uninterrupted electricity supply, medicines and emergency healthcare facilities.
All divisional and district control rooms would remain operational round the clock and linked with the Home Department’s central control room to ensure timely reporting and swift response to any emergency.
The department also directed WAPDA and power distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, remove hanging wires from procession routes and maintain cleanliness under the “Suthra Punjab” programme.
The spokesperson said procession organisers had been advised to connect with law enforcement agencies through the Public Safety Application and ensure prompt response to alerts generated through QR-coded panic buttons installed outside Imambargahs.