MULTAN/SIALKOT

The divisional administration said that security cameras have been installed for the surveillance of mourning processions and congregations, adding that Pak Army and Rangers would coordinate with the civilian administration in case of demand.
Talking to journalists, the Multan commissioner said that the cameras had been connected to the central control room set up at CPO office as all out human and other resources required for maintaining law and order on Ashura had been provided to the police force.
He warned that the saboteurs would be dealt with iron hand. He asked the media to play positive role for maintaining law and order as the media was major stakeholder in the society. He said that the media was the eyes and ears of the society and it should point out all loopholes in arrangements. He was of the opinion that the administration, police and media should be on the same page to maintain law and order.
He said that the arrangements had been given final shape and the administration as well as police had full support from the clerics from all schools of thought. He added that all the routes of the processions had been repaired in the division while emergency lights, generators, ambulances and first aid kits had also been arranged for any emergency.
Speaking on the occasion, Regional Police Officer Tariq Masood Yaseen said that the control room was used to keep an eye on all the routes of the processions. He added that additional police contingents, walkthrough gates, metal detectors and barriers had been arranged for the Ashura day while security at the worship places of minorities had also been beefed up. He said that he personally monitored security arrangements and visited the routes of procession.
He said that the Operation Zarb e Azb was going ahead successfully which perturbed the enemy and RAW started terrorism in Pakistan. He said that the media should play its role in community policing.
Meanwhile, the Multan administration imposed ban on pillion riding and display of arms under Section 144 in the district. Strict action would be taken against those delivering hate speech or doing wall chalking, it said.
The DCO declared that the decision to place the names of ulema and zakirs in fourth schedule would be made after consultation.
He warned that all those spreading terror in any form would be arrested at the spot. He disclosed that the recommendations to block mobile service had been sent to the government.
Meanwhile, Sialkot police held a flag march in the sensitive declared areas of Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur tehsils to ensure law and order and peace.
Meanwhile, Sialkot District Coordination Officer Asif Tufail told newsmen that as many as 2,000 police personnel and members of the law enforcing sensitive agencies were patrolling in all the sensitive areas in Sialkot district. They were safeguarding the Muharram Majalis and processions in Sialkot district here, he added.
The DCO revealed that they would remain deployed at Imambargahs and mosques to prevent any untoward incident ensuring and maintenance of law and order, as the tight security was beefed up by the district government under a fool proof security plan in this regard.