‘High Alert’: 30,000 policemen to guard Easter, Good Friday events in Punjab

• AIG Operations Naikokara chairs video link meeting to finalize security and traffic plans plan

• Police to guard over 5,400 religious events across Punjab with strict checking, surveillance at churches and key locations

• Police coordinate with community leaders to promote interfaith harmony while Elite Force, Dolphin Squad, PRU to ensure round-the-clock patrolling

 LAHORE: The Punjab Police have devised a comprehensive security and traffic plan for the Christian community’s Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Sunday (April 5), deploying over 30,000 personnel across the province to ensure safety during the religious observances.

The arrangements were reviewed during a video-link meeting chaired by Additional IG Operations (AIG) Punjab Muhammad Ali Naikokara at the Central Police Office, with all RPOs, DIGs, SSP Operations Lahore and other senior officers in attendance. Regional police officers briefed the participants on security and traffic plans in their respective jurisdictions.

Acting on directives from the Punjab Inspector General of Police, the meeting decided that entry to churches would be strictly regulated, with all individuals allowed access only after thorough checking and identity verification.

Naikokara directed that community volunteers should work alongside police personnel, remain vigilant, and keep a close watch on any suspicious individuals or activities.

The meeting also emphasised intensifying search, sweep and combing operations ahead of Good Friday and Easter, along with continued monitoring of suspicious elements through door-to-door checks. Special attention was directed towards Fitna al-Khawarij and other miscreant elements.

Authorities were instructed to maintain close coordination with the Safe City Authority and district administrations to ensure continuous monitoring of religious events. Officers were also directed to remain in contact with church administrations, Christian community leaders and scholars of other faiths to promote interfaith harmony.

Separately, a Punjab Police spokesperson said a comprehensive and integrated security plan had been finalised, with the force placed on high alert to ensure effective protection of the Christian community. Senior officers will remain present in the field to oversee security arrangements across all districts.

According to official figures, over 30,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed province-wide. For 2,270 Good Friday programmes, more than 13,000 personnel will be assigned, while over 17,000 officers will be deployed for 3,153 Easter events. In Lahore alone, more than 5,000 personnel will perform security duties.

At sensitive churches, parks, cemeteries, Christian localities and other key locations, snipers and commandos will be deployed alongside additional personnel. The Dolphin Force, Police Response Unit (PRU) and Elite Force will carry out effective patrolling, while checking at city entry and exit points will be further tightened.

Naikokara also directed that no officer should leave their duty point until the conclusion of Easter prayers and related events.