KARACHI: In a letter written to Sindh’s Interior Ministry on Saturday, the Sindh police requested the deployment of army personnel across the province for maintenance of law and order during Muharram.
Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Usman Ghani Siddiqui wrote the letter and requested the deployment of 900 army troops in South Zone, four platoons in East Zone, three platoons in Red Zone, one platoon and 500 army personnel in Hyderabad, 400 personnel in Larkana and five platoons in Sukkur.
Earlier, the Punjab government also decided to deploy 14 companies of the army — each consisting of 150 personnel — in Rawalpindi to maintain peace during Muharram.
Take a look: 2,000 armymen to help police with Muharram security duty
Nine people were killed and fifty others were injured whereas public and private properties were damaged during sectarian clashes on Ashura last year when an Ashura procession coincided with a sermon at a mosque in Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar area.
Also read: Rawalpindi violence kills nine; curfew back on after 4-hour-break
Security measures for Muharram in KP
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken strict security measures ahead of Muharram, as 12 out of 25 districts of the province have been declared sensitive, whereas four among these have been declared highly sensitive.
Speaking to Dawn, Inspector General KP Nasir Durrani said the level of threats in view of Muhrram are very high but added that law enforcement agencies are ready to take on any challenge.
He said twenty five districts have been declared sensitive while Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Hangu and Peshawar have been declared highly sensitive.
Durrani said that army troops will also be on high alert, adding that they are also expecting extra Frontier Constabulary platoons to arrive from Islamabad for provision of security during Muharram.
The administration has also cancelled the leave of all law enforcement personnel while it is likely that bazaars will remain closed in the area from where Muhraram processions are expected to march.
Deputy Commissioner Zaheerul Islam has imposed Section 144 in Peshawar, banning all public gatherings and carrying of weapons. The entry of Afghan refugees to the main city areas has also been banned and they would be restricted to camps.
The administration has also banned use of loudspeakers for hate speeches and discrimination of controversial literature.
Meanwhile, the district administration held meetings with religious scholars and representatives of all sects to maintain peace during Ashura Muharram.
