RAWALPINDI: Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema on Saturday said provision of security to mourning processions top priority of the government and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.

He asked the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) to make special arrangements for cleaning around procession routes and Imam Bargahs.

DC directed the staff to be alert regarding cleaning of drains and roads near Imambargahs through excavator and heavy machinery.

He further said that it was the administration’s responsibility to ensure that the citizens did not have to face any kind of difficulty and trouble in terms of cleanliness during Muharram.

He expressed these views while talking to the media on the occasion of inspecting the complete Muharram procession route from Sadiqabad to Raja Bazaar in the city. On this occasion, Chief Executive Officer Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Rana Sajid Safdar and other officials were also present.

RWMC briefed the Deputy Commissioner on the cleaning plan for Muharram and said that for the smooth implementation of the Muharram cleaning plan, the holidays of the workers were cancelled to ascertain exceptional arrangements in the district.

Moreover, it was informed that additional workers are being deployed to clean the drains and garbage containers, along with throwing lime on the passageways of the Muharram processions, spraying and special cleaning will also be done after the processions have passed.

The officials told that strict monitoring of all arrangements would be done; exemplary arrangements, like Eid-ul-Adha will be made to clean the city during Muharram. Rawalpindi Waste Management Company is working efficiently in the field to implement the cleaning plan.

Taxila

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali said participants of the main mourning procession of Muharram would be provided three-layer security and nobody would be allowed to enter any procession and majlis without complete checking.

He expressed these views while reviewing security arrangements in Taxila on Saturday.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani, Superintendent of Police Potohar circle Mohammad Waqas Khan and other officers were also present.

The RPO added that strict measures were being taken to protect the lives and properties of people in Muharram. He said that stringent security measures had been adopted in the district to avoid any untoward incident.

The RPO and CPO also gave instructions to the officers concerned regarding foolproof security arrangements. The officials also met the management of imambargahs, discussed security arrangements and sought their cooperation.

They urged the organisers to conclude the processions and majalis within the stipulated time. The officials reviewed the security plan of the procession routes and imambargahs and surrounding areas.

The RPO directed the officials to set up central control rooms and ensure proper communication and coordination. He also instructed the police deployed at entry and exit points of imambargahs to remain vigilant and alert.

Encroachments and other problems are being removed from the routes of processions. He said that steps were being taken to provide all possible facilities to the azadaraan.

He also said to ensure sectarian harmony no hate campaign would be allowed on social media.

He appealed to religious scholars to promote interfaith harmony in society.

Speaking on the occasion, the CPO said all possible steps would be taken to further promote religious harmony,a dding the security plan would be fully implemented.

He said additional force should be deputed at mosques, imambargahs, venues of majalis and other sensitive spots.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2023