Punjab Police ensure peaceful Ashura through unprecedented security operation

• IGP Abdul Kareem lauds officers as over 124,000 personnel guard 37,800 Majalis, 9,400 processions

• No untoward incident reported across Punjab during Ashra of Muharramul Haram, says police chief

• Safe Cities, CCTV surveillance, snipers and CTD-backed operations bolster security

• Army, Rangers, religious scholars, peace committees and citizens hailed for coordinated support

 LAHORE: More than 124,000 Punjab Police officers and personnel, flanked by Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel, provided comprehensive security to over 37,800 Majalis and 9,400 mourning processions across the province during Ashra-e-Muharram, as Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem commended the force for ensuring peaceful observance of Youm-e-Ashur.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the IGP praised the performance of the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore as well as all Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) across Punjab.

آئی جی پنجاب کا لاہور کے مرکزی عزاداری جلوس کے روٹ کا دورہ، سینئر پولیس افسران کے ہمراہ امام بارگاہ کربلا گامے شاہ آمد، سکیورٹی انتظامات کا جائزہ، مرکزی عزاداری جلوس کے روٹ، مختلف پوائنٹس پر تعینات جوانوں کو الرٹ ہو کر ڈیوٹی کی ہدایت، سینئر افسران کی آئی جی پنجاب کو یوم عاشور کے… pic.twitter.com/aTxjfOebNT

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 26, 2026

IG Abdul Kareem said the security situation remained peaceful throughout Lahore and the rest of the province, with no untoward incident reported anywhere. He acknowledged the guidance extended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, provincial ministers, advisers and local representatives in ensuring effective Muharram security arrangements.

2\2 pic.twitter.com/0wC7mP5Zi2

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 26, 2026

He said the Safe Cities projects in various districts enabled real-time monitoring of mourning processions and Majalis, while the Special Branch, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Traffic Police and all operational units of Punjab Police performed their duties with exemplary dedication and professionalism.

The Punjab police chief also acknowledged the full cooperation extended by the Pakistan Army and Rangers in maintaining security during the sacred observances of Ashra of Muharramul Haram.

He expressed gratitude to citizens, religious scholars from different schools of thought, public institutions and the media for their wholehearted cooperation. The IGP directed officers and personnel to continue serving with the same spirit of public service, professional competence, vigilance and devotion to duty to safeguard the lives and property of the people and maintain law and order.

On Youm-e-Ashur, IG Abdul Kareem personally remained in the field and visited the routes of Lahore's central mourning procession. He reviewed security arrangements at Mochi Gate, Nisar Haveli, Imambargah Karbala Gamay Shah and other key points along the central Shabeeh Zuljinah procession.

Senior police officers briefed him on the security arrangements, while the IGP met deployed officers and personnel and instructed them to remain alert while performing their duties. He also interacted with Shia community leaders, members of the Peace Committee, organisers of Majalis, mourners and local notables, inquiring about the security arrangements and facilities being provided. Community representatives and procession organisers expressed satisfaction with the security measures adopted by Punjab Police.

The IGP also appreciated the services of the "Suthra Punjab" teams deployed to maintain cleanliness along the procession routes.

Later, IG Abdul Kareem visited the Central Police Office's main Control and Monitoring Room, where he reviewed live surveillance of central mourning processions and Majalis in Lahore and other districts through the Safe Cities network.

AIG Operations Zahid Nawaz Marwat gave a detailed briefing on the security arrangements, while Additional IG Operations Punjab Muhammad Ali Nekokara, AIG Logistics Faisal Shahzad, AIG Admin and Security Qazi Farooq Sultan and other senior officers were also present.

IG Punjab Abdul Kareem visited the Central Control and Monitoring Room at the Central Police Office to conduct live monitoring of main and sensitive mourning processions across the province, including Lahore, via the Safe Cities link. He reviewed security arrangements, the law… pic.twitter.com/qFmKegfMiP

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 27, 2026

The Punjab police chief reviewed the law and order situation across various districts and directed that real-time monitoring of all central processions and Majalis should continue without interruption.

Under the leadership of IG Abdul Kareem, security remained on high alert across Lahore and the rest of Punjab on Youm-e-Ashur. Nearly 100,000 Punjab Police officers and personnel performed security duties during mourning processions and Majalis.

Across the province, 2,732 mourning processions were taken out and 2,567 Majalis were held on Youm-e-Ashur. In Lahore alone, 45 mourning processions and 231 Majalis were organised.

دس محرم الحرام کا مرکزی جلوس روایتی راستوں سے ہوتا ہوا امام بارگاہ قدیمی پر اختتام پزیر، آر پی او راولپنڈی بابر سرفراز الپا، سی پی او سید خالد محمود ہمدانی، ایس ایس پی آپریشنز، چیف ٹریفک آفیسر سمیت سینئر افسران مسلسل فیلڈ میں رہ کر ڈیوٹی کو چیک و بریف کرتے رہے، pic.twitter.com/2nJqxk2ZVs

— Rawalpindi Police (@RwpPolice) June 26, 2026

Security arrangements included CCTV surveillance, screening through walk-through gates and metal detectors, deployment of women police personnel for female mourners, plainclothes commandos within processions, snipers positioned along procession routes, and comprehensive traffic management through alternate routes.

The Special Branch, CTD, Traffic Police and all field formations actively participated in Muharram security operations, while RPOs, CPOs, DPOs and other senior police officers remained in the field to supervise security arrangements for processions and Majalis.

▪️ آر پی او ساہیوال محمد ایاز سلیم کا کمشنر ساہیوال ڈاکٹر آصف طفیل کے ہمراہ مرکزی جلوس کے اختتامی مقام، خیمہ کربلا ماہی شاہ قبرستان کا تفصیلی دورہ۔
▪️ ڈپٹی کمشنر ساہیوال کیپٹن (ر) سمیع اللہ فاروق اور ڈی پی او ساہیوال محمد عثمان ٹیپو نے سکیورٹی و انتظامی امور پر تفصیلی بریفنگ دی۔ pic.twitter.com/kHDgfI1Hc5

— RPO Sahiwal (@RpoSahiwal) June 26, 2026

Continuous surveillance was maintained through the Safe Cities Authority and police control and monitoring rooms across the province. Security was further strengthened at inter-provincial border checkpoints, while strict surveillance remained in place over Fitna Al-Khawarij, Fitna Al-Hindustan and other anti-peace elements.

IGP Abdul Kareem said that, with the cooperation of religious scholars, community leaders, procession organisers, security agencies and all other stakeholders, Punjab Police successfully ensured the peaceful, secure and well-organised observance of Youm-e-Ashur across the province.