Punjab rolls out three-tier Muharram security plan with over 125,000 police

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday ordered the implementation of a three-tier security plan for Muharram across the province, with more than 125,000 police personnel assigned to security duties and additional support sought from the Army and Rangers.

During a briefing on Muharram arrangements, the chief minister was told that a QR-coded panic button system had been introduced in Punjab for the first time at 4,700 imambargahs. She appealed to organisers of religious gatherings to immediately download and activate the system so that, upon scanning the code, the relevant security and administrative authorities could be alerted instantly and respond without delay.

Maryam Nawaz directed officials to ensure province-wide combing operations and real-time intelligence sharing throughout Muharram. She also instructed authorities to intensify intelligence-based operations against anti-state elements and banned organisations. The briefing stated that 43 targeted intelligence-based operations had already been carried out across Punjab.

Security deployment and surveillance

According to the briefing, a total of 47,280 religious gatherings and processions are due to take place across Punjab during Muharram, including 37,868 majalis and 9,412 processions. For these events, 125,641 police personnel will perform security duties across the province.

To reinforce the plan, the provincial government has requisitioned 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers. In addition, 30,445 trained volunteers will assist law-enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority will conduct live digital monitoring of Muharram processions. The meeting was informed that more than 5,623 CCTV cameras had been activated across the province, while 1,040 body cameras and modern drones would be used for field surveillance. More than 1,000 advanced 4G event cameras have also been installed at highly sensitive locations, and over 1,400 officers will remain on round-the-clock monitoring duty from Safe Cities control rooms.

The briefing further stated that LTE coverage would be available at district headquarters in 11 districts if mobile phone services are suspended.

Restrictions and civic arrangements

The meeting was informed that the use of drones during Muharram had been completely banned and that no unlawful use of loudspeakers would be allowed. The government has also imposed a complete ban on hate speech, wall chalking and the display of weapons.

Maryam Nawaz also ordered strict enforcement of approved routes and timings for licensed processions, with no permission to be granted for any new procession or route during Muharram. The briefing said restrictions had been imposed on 794 individuals to curb provocative speeches and sectarian activity, while the entry of 1,418 persons into specified areas had been prohibited.

Officials further informed the meeting that cyber response teams had been activated after 359 social media accounts were identified as allegedly involved in spreading disorder and incitement.

On the civic side, the Punjab government will set up drinking water stalls for mourners, while the Suthra Punjab Authority has been tasked with ensuring the use of fragrance along the routes of processions and religious gatherings.