KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Monday said local body elections are taking place in the same days as Muharram, therefore, security agencies have to remain more vigilant as banned outfits have started to emerge with new names.

“We have to stop them at any cost.”

Keeping in view the security threats, Qaim approved the imposition of ban on pillion ridding for three days —Muharram 8, 9 and 10 — while presiding over a meeting on law and order in the context of security arrangements throughout Muharram. “However, families, kids and elderly people would be exempted from the ban.”

The chief minister said that Muhrram majalis and processions start from the beginning of the Islamic month and continue till Chehlum, therefore, the security plan must be worked out accordingly.

“Apart from it, the local body election process is also in progress. The security plan for that purpose must be formulated,” he added.

Qaim also directed the home department to coordinate with the federal government for suspension of mobile cellular services.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad specially attended the meeting. Other participants included provincial ministers Murad Ali Shah, Sohail Siyal, Syed Nasir Shah, Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Additional IGs AD Khwaja, Mushtaq Maher, Sanaullah Abbasi and heads of intelligence agencies.

The Sindh chief minister urged all intelligence agencies, Rangers and police to be more vigil on the activities of banned outfits emerging under new names. "They must be stopped from participating in elections," he added.

DG Rangers Bilal Akbar said that after reviewing incidents in Muharram over the last seven years, he had found and identified some 95 sensitive points in the city, where special arrangements have been planned in coordination with police.

"Rangers is also conducting a special operation in coordination with police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) against the activists of proscribed organisations and this will continue till Chehlum," he said.

He said that during the ban on pillion riding, special passes would be issued to media personnel for the coverage of processions and majalis.

The Rangers chief said helicopter surveillance of the procession would also be conducted. "We would also use surveillance system of Suparco for security reasons," he added.

Ishratul Ibad said that the divisional administration must hold meetings with K-Electric for smooth power supply for street lights. "We cannot afford risk of darkness in the streets particularly on sensitive days," he said.

On this, the chief minister directed the chief secretary to coordinate with commissioner Karachi to ensure constant power supply.

The special assistant to chief minister on religious affairs, Dr Qayoom Soomro, said he will hold regular meetings with scholars of different sects so that a code of conduct could be implemented in true letter and spirit.

The chief minister said he had already directed all the commissioners to form district peace committees.

The chief minister also directed the chief secretary to ensure presence of doctors, paramedical staff and the availability of medicines in government hospitals. “The local government hospitals should also make such arrangements as usual.”

The representatives of intelligence agencies briefed the meeting about the activities of banned outfits. They pointed out that extra security arrangements may be made in Shikarpur, Khairpur, Shahdadkot.

The additional IG police Mushtaq Maher said that 64,414 police personnel would perform security duties during Muharram. "The deployment of 41,090 policemen would be static, 5,482 would be in pickets, 8,825 on mobiles and 9,017 would be reserved."

Qaim, while appreciating Rangers, police and intelligence agencies, said that during last Muharram, they had performed a wonderful job and "I am sure this time your strategy would also produce good results."