KARACHI, March 13: Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar reviewed security measures taken in connection with the Yaum-i-Ashur events at a high-level meeting held at the CM House on Thursday.

He directed senior officials of all the law-enforcing agencies and the town administrations to keep a strict vigil on the terrorists and anti-social elements to foil their nefarious designs.

The CM directed them that stern action be taken against those found making provocative speeches.

He also appealed to the people of the province to observe Yaum-i-Ashur with religious fervour and traditional fraternity maintaining harmony. “No one will be allowed to foment disturbances during Muharram-ul-Haram,” he warned.

The Chief Secretary, K. B. Rind, IG of Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah, Director General of Rangers, Maj-Gen Salahuddin and other officials attended the meeting.

Deployment: The Capital City Police have taken strict measures to maintain peace and avert any eventuality on Yaum-i-Ashur on Friday.

A total of 15,467 men — 8,556 police personnel, 2,121 Qaumi Razakars, 4,790 members of Reserve Platoons have been deployed in the city under the command of 174 official. The vehicles made available to the combined force are 141 private vans, 13 APCs and 152 motorcycles to be operated in all the 18 towns of the metropolis, official sources said.

Some of the areas have been identified as ‘sensitive’ and ‘most sensitive’ where special security measures have been taken. There are 2,855 mosques and 203 Imambargahs in the city of which 42 mosques and 50 Imambargahs have been declared as ‘most sensitive’ whereas 22 mosques and 25 Imambargahs have been declared ‘most sensitive’.

Police force has been deployed to protect 47 places of worships and the rangers are responsible to protect 45 such places.

The sources said that from the start of the Muharram-ul-Haram till date a total of 865 processions were taken out in the city — 403 by Shia organizations and 262 by Sunni organizations. The Shia organizations obtained permissions for 255 of their processions and Sunni organizations obtained permissions for 148 procession. The rest were took out without the required permission.

According to the sources, Shia organizations have planned 74 processions whereas 21 more are expected to be carried out without permission. Permissions for 195 Sunni processions have been granted and they have planned 34 more processions without permission, they added.

During the period 1-9 Muharram, Shia sect held 3,111 Majalis and Sunni sect held 275 Wa’az. On 10th of Muharram, 34 Majalis and 28 Wa’az are to be held in different parts of the city.

Some 40 government organizations and 1,371 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been taking part in arrangements for Ashura events, the sources said.—PPI