LAHORE: Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued instructions for an offensive against those involved in the dissemination of hateful content on social networks.
By chairing a meeting to review the arrangements with respect to Muharram here on Tuesday, the CM sought an emergency plan of the administration.
“Those who are involved in the dissemination of hateful content in social networks should be arrested immediately,” the CM said and ordered the authorities to guarantee a complete prohibition of exhibiting banners, posters and wall attacks throughout the province. He also ordered to arrest those who violated the prohibition of flying drones during Muharram.
He asked the ministers, commissioners, attached commissioners, RPO and DPO to personally supervise security arrangements for Muharram.
The CM sought the strict implementation of the code of conduct and a zero tolerance policy. He asked the officer to launch drill drills of security arrangements and install knows for processions and meetings of Muharram. He also ordered to provide refreshing drinks, lemon water and cold water bottles during processions along with the identification and monitoring of Sabeels.
The CM said that water sprinklers should establish themselves to protect the pourings from heat stroke and moisture. She instructed officials to establish field hospitals and clinics on wheels for Ashura processions and went even more to issue effective traffic management plans, as well as appropriate traffic notices. He also ordered the authorities to make arrangements for timely water drainage in case of rain.
“Muharram’s spirit must be implemented. Hanging electrical cables has a great risk; emergency operations must be carried out in this regard. There should be no energy cut during Ashura and the street lamps should not be deactivated,” he said and ordered the officers to ensure that managers forests were correctly covered in all areas, including private housing societies.
“The mosaic is done every year in Muharram, how do the potholes resurface on the procession routes again? In the context of the war, Muharram should be considered highly sensitive; Pakistan’s enemies will not let this opportunity go away.
Punjab Police: Punjab police ended security arrangements for Majalis and duel processions throughout the province during Muharram.
The Punjab Police General Inspector, Dr. Usman Anwar, presided over a meeting through a video link at the Central Police office to review the security arrangements.
Punjab Additional Operations of IG Shahzada Sultan reported the meeting on the security measures taken to guarantee a peaceful and safe Muharram.
According to the Punjab police spokesman, more than 38,000 Majalis will be held and more than 9,200 duel processions will be taken out in Punjab during Muharram. He said that more than 232,000 officers and personnel would perform security tasks during the first 10 days. In Lahore, he said, more than 28,000 officials would be deployed for Muharram’s security.
Similarly, more than 53,000 community volunteers and more than 38,000 volunteers would help the security of Majalis and duel processions, respectively.
When heading to the meeting, the PGI ordered the officers to guarantee the implementation of security Sops, saying that due to the predominant situation in the region, Muharram’s security had become more challenging. Any attempt of anti-state elements to incite sectarianism, religious hatred or disturb the law and order must be frustrated using all available resources, he said.
“Any flash problem or point must be solved in consultation with interested parties before Muharram,” he said.
The PPE ordered the RPO and the DPO to guarantee coordination with the Peace Committees, the academics of several sects and organizers of Duel and Majalis processions.
Punjab police would have the full support of the army and Pakistan’s rangers, as well as other security institutions during Muharram’s first 10 days, he said.
Posted in Dawn, June 25, 2025
