PESHAWAR/MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed on Tuesday said that ensuring peaceful Muharram was a big challenge for his force due to the prevailing situation in the region.

He stated this while chairing a meeting regarding Muharram security at the Central Police Office here, according to a statement.

The meeting, which was also attended by regional and district police officers via video link, reviewed the province’s security situation and arrangements for Muharram.

IGP Hameed said police would work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace during Muharram.

He also directed the officials to take concrete steps to ensure sectarian harmony during the holy month. He also directed the police officials to brief the personnel before assigning them duties and also ensure the provision of bulletproof vests and weapons to them.

Mr Hameed said that police had to be extra vigilant during Muharram in order to avoid any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, Mardan division commissioner Nisar Ahmad on Tuesday directed law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance systems and closely monitor the activities of anti-social elements in order to maintain public order in Mardan and Swabi.

He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of the divisional intelligence coordination committee held at his office. Mardan deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir, Swabi deputy commissioner Nasrullah Khan, senior officials from the police, Counter-Terrorism Department, and other security agencies of both the districts were in attendance.

Commissioner Nisar Ahmad stressed the need for special arrangements during the holy month of Muharram to ensure peace and harmony. He also instructed authorities to keep a vigilant eye on subversive elements and to strengthen community engagement.

He reiterated that the safety and security of the public was the government’s top priority, and highlighted the critical role of administrative and law enforcement institutions in that regard.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2025