A high-level meeting regarding Muharram arrangements was held at the DC Office under the chairmanship of Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Communications & Works and Law, Sohaib Ahmed Bharath.
The meeting was attended by Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister Inspection Team and Member Provincial Assembly Chaudhry Sultan Haider Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat, District Police Officer (Lt. R) Ahmed Mohiuddin, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Muhammad Shehab Aslam, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Bilal Bin Abdul Hafeez, Assistant Commissioners, and other relevant officials.
Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat briefed the attendees about the arrangements for providing facilities to mourners during Muharram. DPO Lt. (R) Ahmed Mohiuddin elaborated on the security measures for Majalis (gatherings) and mourning processions.
On this occasion, the provincial minister stated that, in line with the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, full security and excellent facilities are being provided to the participants of Muharram processions. He said that he visited Chakwal on the Chief Minister’s instructions to personally review the arrangements for Muharram.
He directed all departmental heads to ensure implementation of the contingency plan through mutual coordination and to provide quality services. He instructed the administration to ensure security, cleanliness, medical aid, and other necessary facilities along the procession routes.
Later, the provincial minister reviewed the security arrangements for the 7th Muharram procession by visiting the control room established at the AC office, the District Headquarters Hospital Chakwal, and Chhapar Bazaar. He assessed the overall law and order situation and the steps taken for the peaceful observance of processions. Cold water stalls for mourners were also arranged on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab.
The minister inspected the control room and reviewed surveillance through closed-circuit cameras along the designated procession route, and the preparedness for any emergency situations.
Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat briefed the minister that strict measures were being taken not only in Chakwal city but across all tehsils of the district to ensure religious harmony and security during Muharram. DPO Chakwal also briefed that complete security arrangements were in place and that, due to round-the-clock duty of the police force, no untoward incident had occurred so far.
The minister instructed the DC and DPO to remain alert and active until the conclusion of the processions to ensure continued peace and order. He expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements and emphasized that the Punjab government considers the protection and facilitation of processions and religious gatherings a top priority, and no negligence in this regard will be tolerated.
The provincial minister also visited Talagang, where he chaired a meeting with members of the Peace Committee at the Assistant Commissioner’s office. He reviewed the overall law and order situation, inter-sectarian harmony, security, and administrative matters related to Muharram. He appreciated the crucial role and cooperation of the peace committee members in promoting peace, tolerance, and brotherhood. He, along with Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hayat, ADCG Bilal Bin Abdul Hafeez, and Assistant Commissioner Talagang, inspected the 8th Muharram procession route and reviewed the security and other arrangements in detail.
