Rawalpindi finalises Muharram security plan

RAWALPINDI: Authorities have completed security arrangements for Muharramul Haram across Rawalpindi Division, covering 4,376 majalis and 757 processions, according to an official briefing presented at a high-level law and order meeting.

The briefing was given during a meeting of the Provincial Cabinet Committee on Law and Order held in Rawalpindi. Provincial Minister and committee chairman Khawaja Salman Rafique attended along with co-chairman Bilal Yasin, while provincial ministers Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth and Bilal Akbar Khan were also present.

Officials told the meeting that orders had been issued to restrict 199 firebrand speakers from entering districts, while gag orders had been imposed on 83 others. In addition, 312 individuals in Rawalpindi have been placed on the Fourth Schedule.

Among those attending the session were Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Additional IG CTD Wasim Sial, Chief Coordinator PFTIC Brigadier Asjad Ali, DIG Special Branch Sajjad Manj and DG Auqaf Hafiz Aneesur Rehman. Rawalpindi Commissioner Engineer Amir Khattak and RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa briefed participants on the arrangements made for Muharram.