QUETTA: All security arrangements have been completed to maintain peace and order during Ashura in the provincial capital and other towns and cities, the police said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, Quetta’s Deputy Inspector General Syed Fida Hussain Shah said around 8,000 security personnel, including 2,000 Frontier Corps and Levies personnel, had been deployed in the provincial capital while Pakistan Army would be on standby on during the Muharram 10 procession on Tuesday (today).

Besides, helicopters will provide aerial surveillance and mobile service will remain suspended throughout the day.

DIG Shah said routes of the procession had been sealed and foolproof security arrangements had been made despite the absence of Muharram-related threats, he said.

He said 24 imambargahs had been declared highly sensitive while 23 as sensitive. Besides, majalis were being held in 57 imambargahs of the city, while women’s majalis were going on in 20 takiya khanas.

He said 21 permanent gates and 49 gates had been set up for meetings across Quetta and patrolling of security forces increased in and around the city.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili visited the central police office, where the Inspector General Abdul Khaliq Sheikh and other concerned police officials briefed him about the command and control centre and security arrangements made for Ashura.

Mr Uqaili issued special instructions regarding the overall law and order situation, security arrangements and other necessary measures during Muharram and expressed hope that the spread of religious hatred would be discouraged from any forum.

He also urged the organisers of the processions and congregations to ensure the implementation of SOPs issued by the Balochistan government for Muharram.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022