RAWALPINDI: District administrations of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have set up control rooms at their respective Safe City Project buildings to monitor Zuljinnah processions through CCTV cameras to ensure foolproof security during Muharramul Haram.

The control rooms are expected to ensure the implementation of security arrangements and standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the federal and provincial governments.

In addition, social media monitoring will also be carried out during Muharramul Haram, sources said.

They said in Rawalpindi, a comprehensive security plan has been prepared, with more than 7,000 police officers and officials to be deployed to maintain peace during 413 Muharram processions.

The processions have been categorised into three groups. At least 55 processions have been marked as “A” (most sensitive), 72 as “B” (less sensitive) and 286 as “C” (normal).

According to sources, 282 processions will take place from the 1st to the 10th of Muharram. Among these, 36 have been placed in category “A”, 57 in category “B” and 189 in category “C”.

As part of security measures, City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani inspected Imambargahs and reviewed arrangements for Muharram.

He checked the entry and exit points, sound systems, CCTV cameras, seating arrangements and the designated sections for women.

He conveyed the message of the Punjab chief minister that security arrangements must be made as effective and comprehensive as possible. He also directed the enforcement of the SOPs issued by the Punjab government.

Additionally, 1,796 Majalis will be held in Rawalpindi during Muharramul Haram. Of these, 274 have been classified as “A” (most sensitive), 327 as “B” and 1,197 as “C”.

Between the 1st and 10th of Muharram, 1,635 Majalis are scheduled in the Rawalpindi district, with 208 in category “A”, 413 in category “B” and 1,113 in category “C”.

Like Rawalpindi, a comprehensive security and traffic plan has also been devised for Islamabad to ensure peace during Muharramul Haram.

A notification has been issued by the District Magistrate of Islamabad. Assistant Commissioner Yasir Nazir has been appointed as the overall in-charge. He will coordinate with all allied departments and ensure the presence and availability of focal persons in the district control room. Dedicated helplines have been established for this purpose.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad inspector general of police has assigned supervisory duties to ten police officers to ensure foolproof security.

Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting regarding security and other arrangements during Muharram at the Ministry of Interior.

The security and administrative measures planned for Islamabad during Muharram were reviewed in detail during the meeting. The interior minister directed strict checking at the entry and exit points of all processions and Majalis.

According to the decisions taken in the meeting, a central control room will be established at Safe City, and multi-layered security will be deployed for the protection of Majalis and processions. A comprehensive traffic management plan has also been devised. The geo-tagging of all Imambargahs, Majalis and procession routes has been completed, it was informed.

Mohsin Naqvi stated that there would be zero tolerance against inflammatory content, and social media would be strictly monitored. He emphasised the use of modern technology for the surveillance of Majalis and processions.

He also instructed that special arrangements must be made for food and refreshments for the personnel on duty.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2025