Punjab on highest alert for Ashura as IGP orders zero tolerance for sectarian unrest

• IG Abdul Kareem directs strict enforcement of Section 144, SOPs across province

• Orders foiling any attempt to spread sectarianism, religious hatred, telling senior officers told to personally supervise security

• Cyber patrolling intensified to curb hate content and incitement on social media

• CCTV surveillance, metal detectors and walk-through gates deployed at sensitive sites

• Over 60,000 policemen secure 3,963 majalis and 1,362 mourning processions on 8th Muharram

 LAHORE: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem on Wednesday ordered the strictest security measures across the province ahead of Ashura Muharramul Haram, directing law enforcement agencies to remain on high alert and take decisive action against any attempt to incite sectarianism, religious hatred, or disrupt public order.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Central Police Office to review security arrangements for Ashura, the Punjab Police chief stressed the need for strict enforcement of Section 144, the code of conduct, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure peaceful observance of the occasion.

عاشورہ محرم الحرام کی آمد، آئی جی پنجاب عبدالکریم کی زیر صدارت اہم اجلاس، صوبہ بھر کے سینئیر پولیس افسران، سی سی پی او لاہور، آر پی اوز، سی پی اوز اور ڈی پی اوز کی بذریعہ ویڈیو لنک شرکت۔ ایڈیشنل آئی جی آپریشنز پنجاب محمد علی نیکو کارا نے عاشورہ کی مجالس، عزاداری جلوسوں کے… pic.twitter.com/EOUgoMnql9

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 24, 2026

The meeting reviewed in detail the security plan for majalis and mourning processions to be held during Ashura across the province. Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara briefed participants on province-wide security arrangements, operational preparedness, and field deployments.

IGP Abdul Kareem directed that all security arrangements be finalized well before Ashura through close coordination with procession organizers, administrators of majalis, religious scholars, and other stakeholders.

He ordered police officers to foil any attempt by anti-social and anti-peace elements to create sectarian divisions, spread religious hatred, or undermine law and order.

The Punjab Police chief instructed senior officers to personally inspect procession routes, imambargahs, and security and traffic arrangements. He also directed authorities to remove encroachments and ensure timely completion of road repairs, street lighting, and other civic measures in coordination with district administrations.

He said Regional Police Officers (RPOs), City Police Officers (CPOs), and District Police Officers (DPOs) should remain in constant contact with peace committees, religious scholars from all schools of thought, and organizers of majalis and processions to promote inter-sect harmony and resolve issues proactively.

The IGP further directed that additional personnel be deployed at sensitive locations and that CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and walk-through gates be utilized effectively.

He said the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, Traffic Police, Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU), and other field formations should perform their duties proactively to maintain a secure environment.

Directions were also issued to further strengthen cyber patrolling and monitoring to curb the spread of sectarian content, religious hatred, and incitement on social media platforms.

Abdul Kareem emphasized that processions and majalis in Lahore and across the province would only be permitted on designated routes and at approved venues, while strict implementation of the Loudspeaker Act would also be ensured.

The Punjab IGP directed all RPOs and DPOs to remain present in the field and personally supervise security arrangements for processions and majalis.

He underscored that the police force must remain fully alert and that no compromise would be tolerated regarding the security of mourners and religious gatherings.

He further ordered real-time monitoring of security arrangements through control rooms and CCTV surveillance to ensure a stable law and order situation and provide complete protection to mourners.

The IGP also directed that Muharram control rooms in all districts remain fully operational and maintain round-the-clock coordination with the Central Police Office’s main control room.

The meeting was attended via video link by the CCPO Lahore, Additional IG South Punjab, Additional IG Special Branch, Additional IG CTD, Additional IG Elite, Commandant PC, Additional IG RMP, Managing Director Safe Cities, and all RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs. DIG Traffic, DIG PHP, AIG Operations, AIG Procurement, AIG Logistics, AIG R&D, AIG IT, and AIG Discipline also attended the meeting.

 Over 60,000 Policemen Deployed for Eighth Muharram Security

Meanwhile, Punjab Police remained on high alert across the province, including Lahore, on the occasion of the eighth of Muharramul Haram, implementing a comprehensive security plan to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of mourners.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, 3,963 majalis and 1,362 mourning processions were held across the province on the eighth of Muharram.

08 محرم الحرام کی مجالس اور جلوسوں کی سکیورٹی کیلئے پنجاب پولیس کے 60 ہزار سے زائد افسران و اہلکار فرائض سر انجام دے رہے ہیں۔ صوبہ بھر میں آر پی اوز، سی پی اوز اور ڈی پی اوز مجالس اور جلوسوں کی سکیورٹی ڈیوٹی کی نگرانی کیلئے خود فیلڈ میں متحرک ہیں اور تمام انتظامات کی خود دیکھ… pic.twitter.com/bqxqNMCjp6

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 24, 2026

More than 60,000 police officers and personnel were deployed to secure these religious gatherings. Of them, over 35,000 personnel performed duties for the security of 3,963 majalis, while more than 25,000 officers and personnel were assigned to protect 1,362 mourning processions.

The spokesperson said that in Lahore alone, 87 mourning processions were taken out and 425 majalis were held.

Traffic Police, CTD, Special Branch, and other field formations also remained actively engaged in security duties, while more than 28,000 community volunteers assisted police in maintaining security during majalis and processions across the province.