PESHAWAR: All the educational institutions located on the routes of Muharram processions in interior city here will remain closed from Sept 17 to 21 for the convenience of students and public at large.

The decision in this regard was made in a meeting chaired by deputy commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh at his office here on Friday. It was also attended by ADC Peshawar Shahid Ali, AC Mughees Sanaullah, DEO (male) Jaddi Khan Khalil and DEO (female) Sofiya Tabassum.

The participants discussed the hardships faced by students and people in areas of city where processions related to Muharram were held. Later, the administration announced the five-day closure of all schools located on the routes of processions, according to a statement.

Suspension of mobile phone service on 9th and 10th of Muharram likely

In a related development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Salahuddin Mehsud said that his department had asked the home department for suspension of mobile services on the 9th and 10th of Muharram in light of requests from several districts.

Talking to mediapersons at the police lines here, he said that several districts had asked for suspension of mobile phone services on the 9th and 10th of Muharram and they had conveyed the request to the home department. He, however, said they would try to keep the suspension to minimum because of inconvenience it caused to public.

Mr Mehsud said that police would ensure aerial surveillance of all the five most sensitive districts of Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehmood Khan asked the law enforcing agencies to remain alert during Muharram.

A statement issued here said that the chief minister was presiding over a meeting regarding Muharram security at the Chief Minister Secretariat, which was attended by KP government spokesman Shaukat Yousafzai, Chief Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, IGP Salahuddin Mehsud,administrative secretaries and others officials.

It said that Mehmood Khan expressed satisfaction over the security measures for maintenance of law and order situation. He directed for full presence of the personnel of law enforcing agencies and complete coordination among various government agencies and departments.

He also ordered monitoring of the sensitive places, hotels and inns besides constant surveillance of border. He said that there should be district committees for liaison with the community and resolving issues arising at any stage.

The meeting was briefed about measures taken by the police and district administration, local government and health department. It also discussed the emergency and contingency plans for the sensitive areas and districts by different departments. The police have already deputed monitoring teams comprising police personnel to monitor Majalis and sensitive areas.

The security arrangements in the seven newly-merged districts were complete wherein Kurram and Orakzai would be sensitive pockets. The health departmentwould arrange resources from its own resources for any emergency. At provincial level, secretary health would head a team which would look after the health-related services and activities in Muharram. Similar arrangements have also been made at the divisional and district levels.

The local government department would ensure sanitation and provision of drinking water.

The chief minister appreciated the arrangements for maintenance of peace and asked Pesco for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during Muharram.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2018