Muharram: Punjab CM orders implementation of 3-tier security plan

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the implementation of a comprehensive three-tier security plan for Muharram and appealed to organisers of religious gatherings to immediately download and activate QR-coded panic buttons installed at 4,700 imambargahs across the province.

During a briefing on Muharram arrangements, security measures and administrative preparedness, the chief minister was informed the participants that the QR-coded panic button system had been introduced for the first time in Punjab.

Officials said that upon scanning the QR code, the relevant security and administrative agencies would be alerted instantly and respond without delay.

The CM ordered authorities to ensure provincewide combing operations and real-time intelligence sharing at all costs. She also directed that a three-tier security plan be enforced throughout Muharram.

The meeting was informed that the use of drones during Muharram has been completely banned, while no unlawful use of loudspeakers will be permitted. The Punjab government will arrange cold and sweet drinking water stalls for mourners, while the Suthra Punjab Authority has been directed to ensure the use of fragrance along the routes of processions and religious gatherings.

According to the briefing, a total of 47,280 religious gatherings and processions will be held across Punjab during Muharram, including 37,868 majalis and 9,412 processions.

A total of 125,641 police personnel will perform security duties across the province. To further strengthen security arrangements, 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers have been requisitioned. Additionally, 30,445 trained volunteers will assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order.

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority will carry out live digital monitoring of Muharram processions. More than 5,623 CCTV cameras have been activated across the province, while 1,040 body cameras and modern drones will be deployed for field surveillance. Over 1,000 advanced 4G event cameras have also been installed at highly sensitive locations.

Officials further informed the meeting participants that LTE coverage would be provided at district headquarters in 11 districts in case mobile services are suspended. More than 1,400 officers will remain on round-the-clock monitoring duty from Safe Cities control rooms.

The chief minister directed authorities to intensify intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against anti-state elements and banned organisations. The meeting was told that 43 targeted IBOs had already been conducted across Punjab.

Strict enforcement of approved routes and schedules for licensed processions was also ordered. No new procession or route will be permitted during Muharram, and any violation will face zero tolerance.

The government has imposed a complete ban on hate speech, wall chalking and the display of weapons. To curb provocative speeches and sectarian activity, restrictions have been imposed on 794 individuals, while the entry of 1,418 persons into specified areas has been prohibited.

The meeting was informed that cyber response teams had been activated after identifying 359 social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading disorder and incitement.

Officials further stated that 1,220 coordination meetings had been held at the grassroots level under district peace committees across Punjab. Walk-through gates and metal detectors will be installed at entry and exit points of processions to further strengthen security arrangements.

Addressing the meeting, the CM directed commissioners, regional police officers (RPOs), deputy commissioners (DCs), district police officers (DPOs) and assistant commissioners to remain present in the field and personally supervise arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram across the province.

The chief minister called for the best possible administrative, security and public facilitation measures and appealed to citizens to help maintain peace and order in Punjab. She also directed the administration to set up stalls providing cold drinking water along procession routes.

She paid tribute to all departments for their performance during Eidul Azha and praised the coordination among government institutions. She commended ministers, officers and officials for their dedication and hard work, saying the Home Department, intelligence agencies, police, Special Branch, CCD and Information Department had delivered outstanding performance. She also appreciated commissioners, deputy commissioners and RPOs across Punjab.

She said the province witnessed exemplary cleanliness arrangements during Eidul Azha and that government departments had demonstrated practical performance rather than making empty claims.

“A new benchmark has been set for public service and protection,” she said, while particularly appreciating the home minister, home secretary, local government minister and their teams.

The chief minister directed that Muharram arrangements this year should surpass those of previous years in terms of facilities, management and security. She said special security measures were necessary in sensitive areas and ordered CCTV monitoring of every majlis and procession across Punjab.

Referring to the ongoing regional situation, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz said public sentiments had been hurt by Israeli attacks on Iran and that Muslims around the world were distressed by the suffering in Iran. In such circumstances, she added, adopting an unnecessarily harsh attitude would not be appropriate.

She stressed the need to distinguish between ordinary citizens and criminals, saying criminals should not be given any leniency but respectful treatment of law-abiding citizens remained the government’s responsibility. She said people belonging to all faiths and sects must be treated with dignity and respect, while the concerns of participants in religious gatherings and processions should be heard and addressed.

The chief minister said a three-tier security system had been established and directed that checking and monitoring be strengthened. Referring to last year’s Islamabad incident, she said multi-layered security arrangements were essential.

She instructed all DPOs and RPOs to ensure that field police personnel receive training to identify suicide bombers, including recognition of suspicious indicators such as heavy clothing and other warning signs. She directed field formations to remain fully prepared for any alarming or high-alert situation.

She noted that drone operations remained prohibited, although police and administrative authorities were authorised to use drones for security purposes. She called for the maximum use of technology in security operations and said Safe City surveillance covered around 80 to 90 per cent of urban areas. In locations lacking coverage, private cameras should be linked to the Safe City system, she added.

The CM ordered strict enforcement of the ban on unauthorised use of loudspeakers and directed authorities to continue combing operations. She emphasised the importance of intelligence-sharing and coordination among relevant departments.

Warning assistant commissioners and other officials against negligence, she said no open manhole should remain visible anywhere on Muharram routes. She added that inspections would soon be carried out to verify compliance with previous instructions regarding protective netting inside manholes.

The chief minister also directed that Rescue 1122 services, Clinics on Wheels and field hospitals be deployed along procession routes to provide immediate medical assistance to mourners and participants.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026