KARACHI, Dec 19: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has directed the city police chief to ensure installation of surveillance cameras along the entire route of the main processions on the 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram.

The minister issued the directive in a meeting with an 18-member delegation of the Jaffria Alliance Pakistan at the Central Police Office on Friday.

He ordered that walkthrough gates should also be installed at Nishtar Park and select Imambargahs, as pointed out and requested by the delegation. He also directed the inspector-general of police to give due consideration to the recommendations put forward by the delegation while finalising a contingency plan for Muharram.

Dr Mirza directed the police authorities to ensure strict vigilance at entry gates of all Imambargahs, mosques and starting point of processions ensuring body and baggage search of the participants with the help of volunteers. Lady police officers should also be deployed for search of ladies, he added.

He said police should be deployed at selected places along with those in civvies to keep an eye on suspicious movement in order to ensure foolproof security. Besides, he said, a list of mosques and Imambargahs should be reviewed at the police station level.

The minister ordered that cars be parked at a safe distance from mosques, Imambargahs and site of processions. He directed the inspector-general of police to give the contingency plan its final shape after due consultation with Pakistan Rangers, Sindh. He ordered removal of garbage and wall-chalking from the city in coordination with the city government.

Uninterrupted supply of electricity should be ensured in coordination with the KESC authorities, he added.

Dr Mirza informed the delegation that the ban on pillion riding would remain in force during Muharram. He directed the police authorities to ensure effective implementation of the ban on display of arms across the province.

He further directed the police to establish a temporary control room for the processions of 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram at the selected route of processions. He also appealed to citizens to inform police helpline Madadgar-15 or nearby police station about any suspicious movement or presence of unattended package/vehicle.

SSP Security Dr Ameen Yousuf Zai briefed the meeting about the security plan for Muharram, saying that directives have also been issued to organisers of the Majalis in order to seek their assistance to ensure security to life and property of law-abiding citizens.—PPI