RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army and Punjab police will work together against sectarian violence and terrorism activities in Muharram.

A senior police official told Dawn that they would conduct joint search operations – especially in neighbourhoods containing madressahs, imambargahs and other places of worship.

During search operations, joint teams will investigate if individuals are involved in spreading hatred or inciting violence against religious groups, and monitor suspicious elements in the areas.

Sharp-shooters will also be deployed at vantage points at the rooftops of mosques, imambargahs and Ahmadi places of worship.

Regional police officer (RPO) Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja said that joint army and police search operations would be conducted across the province.

“Joint search operations will be carried out around places of worship, including mosques, madressahs, imambargahs and Ahmadi [places of worship],” he said.

The security strategies were developed in line with the government’s directives prior to Muharram and Eid-ul-Azha, as suicide attacks and cases of sectarian violence have previously occurred in Rawalpindi.

The operations will be led by the city police officer in the Rawalpindi district, while district police officers from Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal will lead joint search operations in their respective districts.

A joint search operation will be carried out once a week, while police search operations led by a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) will be conducted daily across the province.

The Punjab government has also decided not to allow banned outfits and sectarian organisations to collect animal hides, and any religious institution or non-governmental organisation (NGO) wishing to collect animal hides on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha will need prior permission from the district intelligence committee.

The government has issued directives regarding the matter to divisional police chiefs and district administrations across the province.

“Whoever wishes to set up camps to collect hides will need permission from the district intelligence committee. Any banned outfit or sectarian organisation will not be allowed to collect hides or set up camps across the division,” RPO Sultan Raja said.

He said that those wanting to set up camps to collect hides will need clearance from the committee before September 19, and those violating the law will be punished.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2015

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