RAWALPINDI, Jan 3: The government would ensure foolproof security for Azadaari processions and Majalis in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jehlum and Chakwal districts.

Ulema, zakrin, members of peace committees and elected representatives cooperation would also be sought to maintain peace during Muharram.

The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting held at the Commissioner Office Rawalpindi to review security arrangements during Moharram. The meeting was presided over by the Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Saeed Mehdi.

The meeting decided the government would consolidate security arrangements in the light of the proposals of Ulema and religious scholars of all schools of thought with a view to ensuring an atmosphere of fraternity, brotherhood and religious tolerance in the division.

The members of the Sub Committee of the Monitoring Committee of Provincial Cabinet for Moharram ul Harram include Advisor to Chief Minister and former I.G. Police Jahanzeb Barqi, Sahibzada Fazal-e-Karam, MNA, Home Secretary Punjab Nadeem Hasan Asif, IG Police Shaukat Javed, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Haseeb Athar, RPO Nasir Khan Durrani, DCO Rawalpindi Imdad Ullah Bosal, CPO Rao Mohammad Iqbal, DCOs and DPOs of Attock, Jehlum and Chakwal and other senior officers of administration attended the meeting.

Mr Mehdi directed the officials concerned to supervise all arrangements in Muharram in their respective districts after preparing a comprehensive plan in collaboration with religious scholars, ulema and members of peace committees.He said control rooms would be established at district and sub divisional level to coordinate all arrangements with the stakeholders.

He said that all kinds of wall chalking should be removed besides ensuring ban on publication and distribution of objectionable pamphlets, printed and other material causing sectarian hatred.

The administration was directed to keep in touch with Wapda and Sui gas authorities at local level aimed at making adjustment in loadshedding schedule of electricity and gas during Azadari processions and Majalis. Besides this, they were to get ready generators, UPS and other possible means of energy as alternative arrangements to meet power shortage.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Nasir Khan Durrani briefed the meeting about the security plan and arrangements made in all the districts of Rawalpindi division besides sharing information about all minor and major processions and Majalis to be held in the division.

He informed the meeting that a comprehensive security plan had been prepared in this respect after having detailed meetings with all stakeholders. Commissioner Rawalpindi division Haseeb Athar also briefed the meeting about the arrangements finalized by the administration of all districts of the Rawalpindi division.

DCOs and DPOs of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jehlum discussed the details of security arrangements in their respective districts besides exchanging various proposals with the higher authorities present in the meeting.

TAXILA: The local administration and law enforcement agencies have decided that no body would be allowed to join the Zuljinah processions on route.