LAHORE, Jan 31: The Punjab government has called in 48 companies of the Pakistan Army in reserves for 16 districts of the province to meet any eventuality during Ashura.

Officials say the 16 districts have been declared sensitive on reports submitted by different law-enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Of the 48 companies, they say, eight have been called in Lahore, five in Faisalabad, four each in Multan, Rawalpindi and Jhang, three in Gujranwala, and two each in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Chakwal, Muzaffargargh, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin and Bahawalpur.

The army in reserves would be deployed anywhere in the 16 districts in case of any untoward incident or wherever required by the police concerned. Besides, men from the Punjab Constabulary and the Pakistan Rangers would also be available in reserves to assist the other law-enforcement agencies if required.

Meanwhile, Punjab IGP Ziaul Hasan Khan has directed all police heads in the province to make foolproof arrangements for the Ashura. The order asked the police heads to maintain a curfew-like situation, especially on ninth and 10th of the month.

The troops would start patrolling in the city and elsewhere in the province twice a day from Muharram 2 to 10 to send a message to the anti-state elements that any threat to law and order would not be tolerated.

The police have intensified patrol duty and increased men in their deployment along the routes of different processions and majalis. Plainclothesmen have been assigned to mingle with those attending the processions to keep an eye on mischief mongers.

The senior police command has been asked to supervise the security arrangements and be available on call round the clock. The supervisory officers have been warned that they would be held responsible in case of any untoward happening.

Besides, the foreigners and their installations have been provided with extra security cover. The force deployed there has been increased besides private security guards performing duties there.

The officials of the civil defence and bomb disposal squads have been asked to check the procession routes with metal detectors. Sniffer dogs, too, have been given to the officials to help them detect any explosive. Lahore city police chief Khwaja Khalid Farooq expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements.

He directed all his SPs to involve people from all walks of life for coordination in maintaining peace.

He asked them to ensure implementation of the security plan already finalized for Ashura and warned them that he would also pay surprise visits to check deployment at majalis and processions.