After suicidal attack in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan police have decided to call out army to assist them and other law-enforcement agencies to ward off any untoward incident during mourning processions and majalis of Chehlum commencing on February 16 (Monday).
The police officials told Thursday that security of all potential targets like majalis, processions and noted personalities was put on high alert in the wake of fluctuating law and order situation in the country. "The police have written to the Punjab Home Secretary for calling army to assist the civil administration and law-enforcement agencies to maintain law and order during Chehlum processions," the officials said.
Moreover, Elite Force and 800 jawans of Punjab Constabulary (PC) have also been called in, who will be deployed on the routes of Chehlum processions and venues of majalis, they said. The officials said 300 bullet proof jackets, over 1,200 shields, 2,000 polo sticks, 1,000 teargas grenades, over 2,000 teargas shells, three armoured personnel carriers, 50 walkthrough gates and about 500 metal detectors would be provided to police to safeguard imambargahs, procession routes and venues of majalis in Southern Punjab.
They said Regional Police Officer (RPO) Multan Arif Ikram had constituted Range Vigilance Team (RVT) to monitor security arrangements on the routes of mourning processions. He said the team would monitor the security arrangements made by the police, Special Branch and Bomb Disposal Squad besides detecting security lapses and deficiencies as precautionary measures.
"All sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) and station house officers (SHOs) have also been directed to arrange meetings with the administration, prominent Ulemas and peace committees of their respective areas and brief them on security arrangements," he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the people have to forge complete unity among their ranks by sinking all differences to cope with internal and external threats, social problems, extremism, militancy and other challenges. In his message he said that the people should evolve a strategy for the bright future of coming generations and think over the past lapses in so that they stick to the creed.
No attempts should be made to encroach upon the thoughts and beliefs of others and adopt a policy of "live and let live". The Shia Ulema were of the unanimous opinion that the consoling and redressing the grievances of those affected by the DG Khan bomb blast were needed and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz is an unforgettable example of kind heartedness and responsibility.
The CM further said that people should promote the sentiments of love and brotherhood to overcome lawlessness in the country. He said that Ulema belonging to all schools of thought have played their pivotal role for the elimination of sectarianism and promotion of religious harmony in the past and they will continue to do so in future as well.
The Chief Minister said that first Ashura of Muharram-ul-Haraam passed peacefully due to solid measures of the government and with the co-operation of Ulema of different schools of thought as well as people belonging to various walks of life and no untoward incident occurred in the province. But after Muharram-ul-Haraam, a tragic incident occurred at D.G. Khan and we strongly condemn it and every person who feels for Pakistan cannot help regretting the incident, he added.
The Chief Minister said that before Muharram, the commitment made for displaying national solidarity during Ashoora in a meeting with Ulema belonging to all schools of thought, had certainly been honoured. All the sects of the displayed complete unity during Ashoora-e-Muharram, as a result of which all the religious ceremonies and congregations were peacefully held, for which he is thankful to the administration, Ulema and the people.
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