ISLAMABAD, March 13: The Islamabad administration has banned over a dozen Ulema belonging to different schools of thought from entering into the capital.
It has also put III Brigade of the army on high alert which can be called out to the federal capital on an hour’s notice to maintain peace during Muharram, a senior ICT official told Dawn on Wednesday.
The official said in view of some recent incidents of terrorism in the country, the ICT had banned the entry of some Ulema, including chief of the defunct Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, Maulana Azam Tariq, Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi of Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh-Jaferia (TNFJ), Maulana Abdur Raheem Naqshbandi, Maulana Ziaul Qasmi, Maulana Mohammad Ishaq, Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi, Maulana Abdul Hakeem Trabi, Maulana Shabir Hussain Naqvi and Syed Ibrar Hussain Shah.
A senior official of the Capital police also confirmed the list of Ulema who had been restricted from entering into the Capital during Muharram.
He said army’s III Brigade would remain alert in the barracks, and they could be called out for the assistance of the district administration to maintain law and order and security of the participants of Azadari processions and meetings.
However, the army will participate in a ‘flag march’ alongwith the local police which will be held during the first week of Muharram in Islamabad.
Elaborating preventive measures adopted by the district administration, the official said section 144 had been imposed against wall chalking, display and firing of arms, offensive literature, issuance of books and pamphlets, use of loudspeakers, playing of cassettes and holding of processions and rallies other than Azadariprocessions.
He said nobody would be allowed to hold Azadari meetings outside Imambargahs and other specified places.
The official said they would also acquire the assistance of private security agencies and hire their guards which would be deployed at various places like Sunday/Friday Bazaars and other commercial and public places.
To a question, he said a traffic plan was being prepared to provide alternative routes to commuters during Muharram 8, 9 and 10. Special arrangements have also been made for women participating in Azadari meetings and processions.
Talking about administrative measures, he said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had been asked to cover open manholes and trim trees on the route of the processions. Similarly, Wapda was asked to provide better lighting arrangements on the routes of the processions.
The official said all hospitals of the federal capital would be on alert on Muharram 8, 9 and 10 to provide prompt medical treatment if required.