LAHORE: The Punjab home department has started taking measures, including deployment of armed forces where required, to ensure peace in the province during Muharram ul Haram.

In this connection, the home department has established an e-portal and written letters to the provincial police chief, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, regional police officers (RPOs) and Auqaf department for coordination to update the data regarding majalis and processions to be held during the month, besides gagging and banning orders, check-lists, control rooms, focal persons, flash points etc by June 17.

As Muharram will commence around June 26, the home department has directed the IGP to send each district’s requirement of the army and Rangers troops, along with the date of deployment. It also sought requirements of mobile jamming, with specific location and duration.

The DCs have been directed to convene meetings of district intelligence committees (DICs) to decide and take security measures and make allied arrangements for the upcoming Muharram. The DCs have also been asked to discuss and develop contingency plans, update lists of firebrand orators to be gagged or banned, and prevent misuse of loudspeakers during Muharram.

The home department has directed the commissioners and RPOs to ensure that non-Shia congregations should be kept separate from Ahl-e-Tashee processions to prevent potential law and order issues.

In view of the surge in religious activities from first to 10thof Muharram, the department has directed all concerned officials to ensure proper security of non-Ahl-e-Tashee gatherings as well.

The department has also written to the Special Branch additional IG that ban on loudspeakers should be fully enforced under provisions of the Punjab Sound Systems (regulation) Act 2015 during Muharram.

The department has also requested the Auqaf and religious affairs department to coordinate with the members of Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen (IBM) committee and convene a meeting.

Meanwhile, newly-posted home secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi in his maiden meeting emphasised that maintaining law and order across Punjab was the top priority of the chief minister.

He said the home department’s internal security wing was actively mobilising law enforcement agencies across Punjab to ensure public safety.

“There will be zero tolerance for any negligence in protecting the lives and property of citizens,” he asserted.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Home Fazal ur Rehman, along with additional and deputy secretaries from all wings of the department.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025