LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally reviewed Muharram security arrangements on Wednesday, taking direct charge of monitoring measures aimed at ensuring the safety, security and convenience of mourners across the province.
During a visit to the Provincial Intelligence Centre at the Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister inspected live CCTV monitoring of Muharram processions and majalis and reviewed the operational readiness of security agencies. Deputy Commissioners and District Police Officers from across Punjab participated in the meeting via video link.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the deployment of modern security mechanisms, including physical and cyber patrolling, QR code-enabled panic button systems, LTE-based communication networks, CCTV surveillance and anti-smog guns along procession routes. Authorities said such integrated arrangements were being implemented on an unprecedented scale during Muharram.
The CM Punjab said a modern security framework had been activated throughout Punjab and that the administration, intelligence agencies, police and other law-enforcement institutions were working in close coordination.
She also interacted directly with district monitoring units and directed authorities to maintain a high level of alertness. The chief minister reviewed live CCTV feeds displayed on the centre’s digital monitoring wall and inspected social media surveillance operations.
Officials gave a briefing to the CM on cyber patrolling mechanisms and informed the chief minister about systems developed to block or slow the spread of objectionable online content. A dedicated cyber-patrolling wing has been established to monitor and analyse social media activity during Muharram.
The chief minister directed authorities to tighten action against individuals involved in spreading sectarianism and hate material. She was also briefed on security deployment, control room operations and physical and cyber surveillance arrangements. A digital map showing the locations and categorisation of majalis across Punjab was presented during the briefing.
The CM Punjab reviewed procession routes in various districts and examined monitoring through Safe City cameras. Emphasising inter-sect harmony, she directed officials to maintain close coordination with religious scholars and stakeholders promoting Muslim unity. During the visit, she also sought a report from the deputy commissioner of Pakpattan regarding the recent Bahishti Darwaza incident.
Expressing satisfaction over arrangements for water sprinkling and the provision of sabeels along procession routes, the Chief Minister said there would be no compromise on the safety and convenience of mourners.
“The administration and police must remain fully vigilant from today until Ashura. Security arrangements should be such that no untoward incident occurs. I am personally monitoring processions and majalis across all districts,” she said.
She directed officials to ensure comprehensive safety and security measures for members of the Shia community amid the prevailing heatwave and instructed that cold drinking water and sweetened water stalls be established along procession routes.
The Chief Minister said the extensive preparations reflected the most comprehensive Muharram arrangements in the province’s history and warned that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026