Law enforcers hold flag marches in twin cities

Published August 1, 2022
Capital police leave the Sports Complex to participate in a flag march on Sunday. — Photo by Mohammad Asim
Capital police leave the Sports Complex to participate in a flag march on Sunday. — Photo by Mohammad Asim

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The twin cities’ law enforcers held a flag march on Sunday on the advent of Muharram – a month that will see hundreds of processions and gatherings across the area.

In Islamabad, police vowed to ensure peace during 965 majalis and 181 processions during the Islamic month. The deputy commissioner (DC) said mobile phone service would remain suspended in some areas of the city on Muharram 9.

The flag march started from Sports Complex and passed through almost all areas of the city, including Dhokri Chowk, Rawal Dam, Tramri Chowk, Khanna Pul, PWD Colony, I-8, I-9, I-10, Police Lines and Srinagar Highway. The Pakistan Army, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies also took part in the march.

DC Irfan Nawaz Memon said the security plan was finalised by the district administration and meetings were conducted with all licence holders to ensure peace and harmony during processions.

Police vow to ensure peace during Muharram; Islamabad bans entry of 19 clerics

“We are in touch with religious scholars of all sects and all the security agencies have been cooperating with us for the safety of processions. All the routes will be monitored through cameras of the Safe City project to avoid any untoward situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory police decided to deploy more than 613 police officials on various routes of processions as it devised a special traffic plan for the month.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer devised the traffic plan in connection with 965 majalis and 181 processions which was finalised in a meeting attended by SP (Traffic) Chaudhry Abid Hussain, Zonal DSPs and inspectors.

As per the plan, 613 police officials, including one SP, four DSPs, and 22 inspectors, will perform duties to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and guide the road users to alternative routes to avoid any inconvenience.

The SSP (Traffic) has directed all DSPs to monitor traffic-related arrangements on routes of processions in their respective areas and ensure proper parking arrangements during religious gatherings.

SSP (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanweer also directed that special transmission on the traffic situation should be aired on FM Radio 92.4 during Muharram.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Islamabad Malik Jameel Zafar said the capital police had made a comprehensive security plan to maintain high vigilance in the city.

The SSP (Operations) directed all zonal officers to ensure strict security arrangements and use of metal detectors.

He said it would be ensured that processions pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions be strictly observed. He also directed effective patrolling and the use of commando vehicles for the purpose.

SSP (Operations) also asked citizens to cooperate with the capital police to ensure effective policing.

Meanwhile, in light of the police and intelligence reports, the Islamabad administration imposed a ban on the entry of 19 ulemas belonging to different sects into the capital territory during Muharram.

Earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration had imposed a ban on the entry of 38 ulema into the city.

Pindi flag march

In Rawalpindi, police and other law enforcement agencies carried out a flag march across the city to ensure peace and harmony during Muharram.

Officials of police, elite force, traffic police, Dolphin squad and other law enforcement agencies and district administration participated in the flag march.

A police spokesman said the flag march was an expression of determination of the Rawalpindi police for the establishment and promotion of peace and unity. It started from Rawalpindi Police Lines and passed through various routes of the city and ended at the police lines.

He said during Muharram, implementation of the law and government policy would be ensured, and no one would be allowed to take law into their hands.

The Punjab police chief allocated 160 personnel of Police Training College, Rawat, to assist the Rawalpindi district police, while 120 police personnel from Police College Sihala (PCS) were told to report to the Attock district police, 40 police personnel from PCS would assist the Jhelum police and 60 police personnel from PCS were directed to assist the Chakwal police during Muharram.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2022

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