KOHAT: Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat and chief secretary Aslam Nadeem Chaudhry held a joint jirga of Shia and Sunni elders here on Friday to seek their support for ensuring peace and harmony in Muharram.

The participants were also informed about a comprehensive security plan finalised for the holy month.

Heads of police and civil administrations of Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai and Kurram detailed the participants about the planned deployments around imabargahs, mosques and mourners’ routes.

IGP Hayat and chief secretary Nadeem expressed resolve that punitive actions would be taken against the elements trying to disturb peace and create law and order. They asked ulema to preach peace and harmony during their sermons.

IGP, chief secretary hold joint jirga in Kohat

Army’s General Officer Commanding 9th Division Zulfiqar Bhatti, Kohat division commissioner Abid Khan, deputy commissioners and district police officers were in attendance.

IGP Hayat said Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai and Kurram districts were highly sensitive from a sectarian viewpoint, and that all the required steps would be taken to ensure peace.

Meanwhile, sources said over 11,400 personnel of police and Frontier Constabulary would be deployed across Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai and Kurram districts, while the Pakistan army would be on the standby in the most sensitive regions to ensure peace during Muharram.

They told Dawn on Friday that 77 out of 83 Imambargahs and six mosques had been declared sensitive and six most sensitive in the Orakzai district.

Similarly, they said 7,000 personnel would be deployed in the most volatile Hangu district, where the personnel of Frontier Reserve Force, Quick Response Force and Elite Force would be guarding mountains, bazaars, Imambargahs, mosques, routes of mourners and other vulnerable places.

In Kohat, 3,000 security personnel would be on high alert, including three platoons each of Frontier Constabulary, Quick Response Force, Rapid Response Force, and district security branch aided by sniffer dogs. Army personnel would also be on vigil during Ashura.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Services Company, DI Khan, is continuing a drive to keep the venues of Muharram Majalis and procession routes neat and clean.

The drive was launched last week on the directives of WSSC chief executive officer and deputy commissioner Mansoor Arshad.

A WSSC official said the firm had deployed all its machinery for the task along with over 300 workers, who were working in shifts.

He said the main procession routes and streets around all the Imambargahs of the city were being cleared of any construction material and debris. He said camps had been set up at various points of the city for regularly carrying out the cleanliness work until the conclusion of Ashura.

Meanwhile, the police launched a crackdown the other day on vehicles with tinted glass and motorcycles without number plates to tighten the security in connection with Muharram.

A police spokesman said penalties were also issued to dozens of owners of vehicles and motorcycles.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024