ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has directed the authorities concerned to make foolproof security arrangements in every sensitive area during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
In a high level meeting held in Islamabad, the interior minister said that intelligence agencies and civil armed forces are providing full support to the provinces.
The interior minister also directed for aerial surveillance of sensitive areas on the occasion.
Moreover, he directed the Islamabad inspector general to ensure increased vigilance in all parts of the federal capital and said that a Rapid Response Force would be formed for Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which would also have the support of Rangers.
Nisar said that any act of violence would be dealt with an iron hand.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad police chalked out an elaborate security plan for the Chehlum, under which strict patrolling would be ensured on the routes of processions and at religious gatherings in the city.
Under the plan, senior police officials had been directed to guide their juniors and boost their morale in performing their duties in a responsible manner.
The police officers, including the superintendents of police (SPs), would visit various police posts falling in the routes of processions, check security duties and brief law enforcers on how to ensure effective security.
For the main procession, the route has been divided into three sectors, and an officer of the SP rank will supervise each sector. These sectors are further divided into sub-sectors and police official of the ASP/DSP ranks will be in-charge of each sun-sector.
In these sub-sectors, there will be separate in-charges for rooftop duty and police pickets, while personnel of the Special Branch, CID and the Islamabad Traffic Police will also perform duties.
The ITP staff would divert traffic to alternative routes to avoid inconvenience to road users, while SP (Traffic) Asmatulla Junejo would himself monitor traffic-related issues. The parking areas for the participants of the processions would be specified away from the route.
According to the security plan, close liaison would be maintained between law enforcers and event organisers to ensure foolproof security of the participants.
Meanwhile, special arrangements would be made for checking and frisking of all the participants in a prestigious way and metal detectors would be used for the purpose.
