DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Divisional commissioner Zafarul Islam on Sunday said a foolproof security plan had been devised to ensure peaceful passage of Muharram in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said the police and Frontier Corps personnel had been deployed at all the entry and exit points and the sensitive places of the two districts. He said Pakistan Army was also on the standby to help the civil administration in case of an emergency.

He said cooperation of the Shia and Sunni elders would help peaceful Muharram.

Mr Islam said over 250 CCTV cameras had been connected with the police control room in Dera, and routes of mourning processions and sensitive places were being monitored regularly. He said the health department staff had been assigned special responsibilities while the officials of tehsil municipal administrations were ensuring cleanliness and proper functioning of the streetlights on the routes of the processions.

Mr Islam said Rescue 1122 had also been put on alert, while Peshawar Electric Supply Company had been asked to avoid loadshedding in sensitive areas till Ashura. Moreover, he said standby electricity generators would also be provided in the areas facing power tripping.

The commissioner said both the schools of thought in Dera were demonstrating unity thus abiding by the peace agreement of 2009, which was very welcoming.

“We have to thwart the designs of the anti-state elements,” he vowed.

He asked the citizens to extend cooperation by reporting to the law enforcement agencies any suspicious activity or presence of any suspected person in their areas. He assured that the names of informers would be kept confidential.

He said elderly and sick persons would be exempted from the ban on pillion riding.

CONFERENCE: Central Vice-President of Shia Ulema Council Allama Ramzan Touqeer has called for unity among all schools of thought for peace during Muharram in Dera district.

He stated this while speaking at a ‘Yakjehti Conference’ organised by Milli Yakjehti Council at the Dera Press Club.

Mr Touqeer said unity was the need of the hour to thwart the elements plotting to sabotage peace.

President of Dera Aman Council Zahid Mohibullah Advocate urged people to fulfill their responsibilities for establishment of peace in the district.

Senior vice-president Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajiran Chaudhry Jameel Ahmad said peace was prerequisite for progress.

President of Milli Yakjehti Council Pir Sher Mohammad said the purpose of calling the conference was to spread the message of peace and maintain an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood in the district.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2023