ISLAMABAD, March 2: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has banned the entry of 10 Ulema belonging to different religious sects and put army on one-hour alert to maintain peace in the federal capital during Muharram.

A magistrate of the ICT administration told Dawn on Sunday that the entry of 10 Ulema — Allama Sajid Naqvi, Allama Talib Hussain Johri, Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi (Rawalpindi), Maulana Ashraf Ali (Rawalpindi), Allama Abdul Majeed Nadeem (Multan), Dr Khadim Hussain Dhalon (Multan), Maulana Mohammad Ishaq (Wah Cantonment), Allama Ali Sher Haideri (Sindh), Allama Abdul Hakeem Turrabi (Karachi), and Allama Nazar Hussain Solangi (Hyderabad) — had been banned.

The official said the army would remain on alert and could be called to assist the district administration in maintaining law and order, and ensuring security of the participants of processions and meetings.

However, the army will participate in the ‘Flag March’ with the police to be staged on Muharram 6 in Islamabad, he added. Elaborating preventive measures adopted by the district administration, the official said section 144 had been imposed, banning wall-chalking, display of arms, issuance of books and pamphlets, use of loudspeakers, and rallies other than the Azadari processions.

He said nobody would be allowed to hold Azadari meetings outside Imambargahs and other specified places.

“The administration will also acquire the assistance of private security agencies and hire about 25 guards to be deployed at various places like Sunday/Friday Bazaars and other commercial and public places.”

Answering a question, he said a traffic plan was being prepared to provide alternate routes to the commuters during Muharram 8, 9 and 10, and special arrangements had been made for the women participants of Azadari meetings and processions.

Talking about administrative measures, he said the Capital Development Authority had been asked to cover open manholes and trim trees on the route of processions.

Similarly, Wapda was asked to provide better lighting arrangements on the route of processions, he added.

The magistrate said all hospitals in Islamabad would remain on high alert to provide prompt medical services, if required. Three ambulances will be available during the main Azadari processions, he added.

He said security had been tightened in the vicinity of all mosques, Imambargahs, airport, entry and exit points, bus-stands and other public places.

Meanwhile, personnel of law enforcement agencies in plain clothes have been deployed in different commercial areas to monitor the activities of suspicious persons.