Islamabad to use drones, geo-tagging for Muharram security

ISLAMABAD: Muharram processions and religious gatherings in the federal capital will be monitored through drones, while authorities have completed the geo-tagging of all imambargahs, majalis venues and procession routes, according to an interior ministry statement issued after a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The statement said the meeting reviewed security arrangements for Muharram in Islamabad. It added that a special mobile application, Mehfooz Muharram, had been launched to allow citizens to report suspicious activity, suspicious individuals and any shortcomings in security arrangements. The app also includes live location sharing and image sharing features.

Authorities have also set up a central control room at Safe City as part of the security plan, while a four-tier security cordon will be enforced for the protection of Muharram processions and gatherings. The interior minister directed officials to ensure the four-layer security arrangement remains in place and to implement a comprehensive traffic management plan during the period.

According to the statement, Naqvi also ordered strict checking at the entry and exit points of all processions and religious gatherings, and instructed all relevant officers to remain present in the field. He further directed the authorities concerned to maintain close coordination with religious scholars to help preserve law and order.

The statement quoted the interior minister as saying: "The code of conduct must be strictly enforced. A zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against provocative material."

During the meeting, Islamabad’s chief commissioner and the inspector general of police gave the interior minister a detailed briefing on the arrangements, the statement said. They informed the meeting that the security audit of all religious gatherings and processions had been completed and that the Islamabad administration was in contact with religious scholars as well as organisers of Muharram gatherings and processions.

The meeting was attended by all deputy inspector-generals of police, senior superintendents of police, the deputy commissioner and all assistant commissioners in Islamabad, according to the statement.

Earlier committee meeting

Earlier this week, Naqvi and Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry also chaired a special meeting of the Paigham-i-Aman Committee to review Muharram arrangements and steps aimed at preventing sectarian incitement. The committee discussed measures to promote inter-sect harmony and religious tolerance during Muharram.

It was decided at that meeting that action would be taken against those spreading incitement and sectarianism on social media, the statement said.