September 01, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 29, 1429

ISLAMABD, Aug 31: About 1,650 police personnel and private security guards have been deployed for the security of worship places in the capital city during the holy month of Ramazan.

The security personnel will guard 584 mosques and 30 imambargah in the city. Besides, mosque committees have also deployed volunteers and private security guards for the internal security of the worship places.

This was stated at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Senior Superintendent of Police Ahmad Latif.

The SSP directed all police officials to ensure foolproof security arrangements during the month.

As decided at another meeting chaired by Chief Commissioner Islamabad Hamid Ali Khan, only one gate of the worship places would be kept open. Mosque committees would also conduct checking through metal detectors and deploy private security guards on the premises.

The SSP directed the police officials to launch special drive against professional beggars and not to allow them to gather outside worship places.

The police officials were also directed to carry out special checking in hotels, motels, inns and guesthouses.

Meanwhile, property dealers have also been directed to furnish the record of tenants to SHOs of their respective areas.

Meanwhile, checking at the exit and entry points of the city has been intensified. All the subdivisional police officers and SHOs have been directed to personally supervise the security arrangements during the month. Superintendent of police (headquarters) Mir Wais Naiz, SP East Kamran Adil and other officials attended the meeting.

A senior police official told Dawn that over 600 mosques located in the capital had been divided into three categories – A, B and C. He said parking near the A category mosques would be banned. Besides, lighting arrangements would also be made in the adjacent areas of mosques.

The police patrolling has also been rescheduled with special attention on Sehar, Iftar and Tarawih timings, the official said.

The police have requested the deputy commissioner of Islamabad to deploy magistrates in mosques.

Special security cover will be provided to markets before and during Iftar, as it has been observed that a large number of people visit shopping centres during these time.