Muharram gatherings, processions to be digitally monitored through drones in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Muharram processions and gatherings will be monitored digitally through drones while geo-tagging of all imambargahs, majalis venues and procession routes has been completed, according to an interior ministry statement detailing security arrangements for Islamabad.

The statement was issued after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram in the federal capital.

The statement said a special mobile application, ‘Mehfooz Muharram’, had also been launched, using which citizens could report any suspicious activity or individual or inadequate security arrangements. It will also have live location sharing and image sharing features.

It added that a central control room had been established at Safe City as part of security arrangements, and a “four-tier security cordon” would be implemented to ensure the protection of Muharram processions and gatherings.

The statement said Naqvi directed that a four-tier security cordon be maintained for the protection of Muharram gatherings and processions and that a comprehensive traffic plan be implemented.

“Naqvi ordered strict checking at the entry and exit points of all processions and religious gatherings,” the statement said, adding that he also instructed all relevant officers to remain in the field.

He directed relevant authorities to maintain “close coordination” with religious scholars to ensure law and order. “The code of conduct must be strictly enforced. A zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against provocative material,” the statement quoted him as saying.

During the meeting, Islamabad’s chief commissioner and the Islamabad inspector general of police gave the interior minister a detailed briefing on the security arrangements, the statement said.

They informed the meeting that the security audit of all religious gatherings and processions had been completed and the Islamabad administration was in contact with religious scholars as well as the organisers of Muharram gatherings and processions, the statement said.

It added that the meeting was also attended by all deputy inspector-generals of police, senior superintendents of police, the deputy commissioner, and all assistant commissioners in Islamabad.

Earlier this week, Naqvi, along with State Minister Tallal Chaudhry, chaired a special meeting of the Paigham-i-Aman Committee to discuss arrangements for Muharram and measures to curb sectarian incitement.

The Committee discussed in detail the steps to promote inter-sect harmony and religious tolerance during Muharram. It was decided that action would be taken against those spreading incitement and sectarianism on social media.