Security arrangements finalised ahead of Ashura

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies have finalised security arrangements for Muharram processions and congregations on 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram in major cities across the country.

In view of Muharram processions, Karachi traffic police has announced alternate routes and traffic arrangements for the next three days.

As per details, M. A. Jinnah Road has been divided into 23 sub-sectors, while shops and all of the 287 entry points to M.A. Jinnah Road have been sealed. The main congregation centre, Nishtar Park, has been divided into nine sectors.

Police officials and sniper squads will be deployed at 124 buildings from Nishtar Park to M.A. Jinnah Road. The main congregations and Muharram processions will start after getting clearance from bomb disposal squad.

It was further revealed that walkthrough gates and physical search parties have also been made part of the security plan.

Hospitals including Jinnah Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital have been directed to make special arrangements for dealing with any eventuality during 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram.

Pillion riding has been banned across Sindh on 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram.

CM Punjab reviews security arrangements

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to ensure strict security for Imambaargahs, mosques, shrines and other places of worship on the occasion.

While reviewing the security plan on Thursday, he said that the representatives of local bodies should play a proactive role for the promotion of religious harmony along with police and administrative officers.

He stressed that CCTV cameras, generators, lights, walkthrough gates and scanners should be fully functional, adding that indiscriminate action must be initiated under the law in case of any violation of code of conduct.

Mobile phone services partially blocked

Mobile phone services were partially suspended in parts of Faisalabad and surrounding areas early Friday. The unannounced suspension led to several residents facing difficulty in their routine lives.

Cellular services will remain partially suspended in different cities on 9th and 10th Muharram. Home Minister Sindh Sohail Anwar Khan Siyal approached the interior ministry earlier this week to suspend mobile phone services in major cities across the province on 9th and 10th Muharram.

Interior Secretary Sindh said the PTA has instructed to suspend mobile phone services in ‘sensitive’ areas on Saturday and Sunday.