ISLAMABAD: Chief of the capital police on Monday reviewed the security plan for Eid Miladun Nabi and sought certificates from owners of hotels, guesthouses and residents living within the vicinity of procession routes.

Presiding over a meeting, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Aamir Zulfiqar Khan directed that meetings should be held with the rallies’ management regarding setting up of Sabeels and observing the time frame given for the processions.

He reiterated that all rally participants should be monitored through drone cameras and video footage should be taken of the rallies, the police said, adding that pre-coordination meetings with the authorities of Iesco, SNGPL, hospitals and all concerned departments should be held immediately.

Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Waqaruddin Syed was asked to brief the officials about the nature of their duties and directed to deploy mounted police along rally routes.

The IGP further emphasised the crucial role of Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on the day.

IGP Khan also asked the zonal SPs to supervise their fellow personnel and ordered the DIG Operations to personally look after the arrangements at the main event in Aabpara.

According to the officials privy to the meeting, the IGP said bar-coded cards should be issued to the police officials on duty and particularly focused on the significance of Special Branch. Importance of telecommunication during such events was also emphasised.

The zonal SPs in coordination with the ITP shall cordoned off the area with barriers and ensure attendance of all police officials.

The IGP ordered the meeting participants to immediately carry out intelligence-based search and combing operations in the whole district to arrest offenders and hardcore criminals. He asked the SSP Operations to keep the anti-riot unit on alert to meet any untoward incident.

Foolproof security arrangements for upcoming Seerat conference were also ordered, police added.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018