TAXILA: Authorities in Taxila have finalised extensive security and administrative preparations to ensure peaceful, safe and well-organised observance of Muharram.

A review meeting, chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Rawalpindi Maliha Sehar and attended by Assistant Commissioner Taxila Maria Javed, was held to assess security and civic arrangements.

The meeting was attended by Chief Officer Municipal Committee Taxila Mohammad Haseeb Siddiqui, Deputy Director Health Dr Shahzad Rasool, SDPO Taxila Malik Mohammad Arshad and representatives of the Safe City Authority, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments.

The participants reviewed security arrangements for Muharram processions and religious gatherings, monitoring of sensitive locations, deployment plans, use of Safe City surveillance cameras, traffic management strategies, sanitation measures, healthcare facilities and emergency response mechanisms.

All municipal services, including cleanliness, street lighting, water supply and other public facilities, would be ensured along procession routes

Officials informed the meeting that all necessary municipal services, including cleanliness, street lighting, water supply and other public facilities, would be ensured along procession routes and at venues of religious gatherings. Relevant departments have been mobilised to facilitate mourners and address issues on a priority basis.

Police authorities briefed the meeting on the security plan, stating that sensitive and highly sensitive locations would remain under strict surveillance throughout Muharram. Law enforcement agencies will maintain heightened vigilance to preserve peace and provide maximum protection to participants in processions and Majalis.

Speaking on the occasion, ADCG Maliha Sehar emphasised the importance of effective coordination among all departments and directed officials to ensure full implementation of the approved security and administrative plans. She instructed departments to complete all arrangements well ahead of schedule and remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

Woman, two girls killed

A woman and two teenage girls were killed in separate incidents in Attock on Sunday, police and hospital sources said.

In the first incident, a man allegedly shot dead his mother and teenage sister in Dekhanir village within the limits of Attock Saddar Police Station.

The police said the suspect allegedly opened fire on his 37-year-old mother, Saima Bibi, and his 18-year-old sister, Noor Bibi, following an exchange of hot words over a monetary dispute, killing them on the spot before fleeing the scene.

In another incident, a teenage girl was allegedly murdered by her father in Garshin village within the jurisdiction of Hasanabdal Police Station.

According to preliminary investigations, the victim, identified as 16-year-old Bisma Bibi, was attacked with a knife and sticks by her father over a dispute regarding her marriage. The teenager was scheduled to be married in two days, but the suspect was reportedly opposed to the match.

The girl sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Following the incident, the suspect fled.

The police reached the crime scene, collected evidence and shifted the body to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026