RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has issued security guidelines for Quaid-i-Azam Day and New Year’s celebrations in view of threat perceptions requiring extraordinary vigilance and comprehensive security measures to prevent any hostile activity during these events.

The Punjab government has instructed commissioners and deputy commissioners to immediately convene meetings of divisional and district intelligence/coordination committees (DICs) to assess the threat perception and adopt necessary preventive measures.

Provincial authorities have directed all concerned across the province to take immediate measures to ensure security at places of worship and to place vigilance levels on “high alert”.

All security arrangements are to be regularly monitored by deputy commissioners and district police officers (DPOs) and supervised by commissioners and regional police officers (RPOs).

The prevailing threat environment in the country requires appropriate security measures by the concerned authorities at all churches and missionary schools during special events, prayers and weekends, the guidelines said.

There is a possibility that militants, desperate to assert their relevance, may try to disrupt and destabilise national and religious harmony to pursue their malicious objectives, the Home Department said.

To ensure the security of churches, foreign missions and NGOs, the Punjab Home Department has issued security guidelines asking authorities to step up their efforts.

It said special security must be provided in and around churches and all festive venues. Church management should be engaged and sensitised regarding security requirements and the prevailing security situation.

Recommendations and instructions of security advisory committees under the Churches Act 2015, declaring churches as vulnerable establishments, must be implemented in letter and spirit. Any local disputes between communal groups must be resolved prior to Christmas and New Year’s celebrations 2016.

Under the guidelines, thorough scanning and screening of churches, stages and service areas must be carried out and any abandoned vehicles found near programme venues or churches must be removed immediately.

Police, lady police officers

and organisers must ensure proper checking of women attending church services and celebrations.

Local human intelligence resources must be utilised for timely information regarding potential subversive activities at venues.

Three to four tiers of security coverage must be maintained for all churches under all circumstances. Multiple checkpoints should be established and scanners used to deter terrorists and miscreants.

The guidelines also suggest conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in sensitive areas and locations, in addition to closely monitoring hotels and inns, particularly those located near churches and minority educational institutions, to deny space to miscreants.

As part of the tightened security, additional police personnel will be deployed in markets, public places, parks, zoos, shopping malls, bus stands, restaurants and cinemas to maintain law and order.

Round-the-clock patrolling must be ensured around churches from the commencement to the conclusion of ceremonies. Extensive patrolling must also be ensured in public places and markets on New Year’s night.

In addition, Dolphin Force and PRU will be deployed, while the availability of bomb disposal squads and their effective communication with district wireless control must be ensured.

The Special Branch and Civil Defence will conduct sweeping of churches with sniffer dogs and gadgets, while plainclothes police personnel will be deployed for intelligence gathering.

A task force has already been constituted for major and smaller cities to prevent and control reckless and dangerous driving, including one-wheeling, particularly among youths.

The task force in major cities is headed by the chief traffic officer (CTO), while in smaller cities it is headed by DSP Traffic.

The task force is to ensure checking and patrolling on main roads and to take action against one-wheelers.

The Home Department has also directed all deputy commissioners and district police officers to submit contingency plans to the department at least one week prior to the events.

In addition to security arrangements, traffic police have been directed to make traffic arrangements around main churches to avoid traffic jams.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025