Punjab Cabinet Committee reviews Muharram security arrangements in Sargodha

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2026) Provincial Minister for Health and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee Khawaja Salman Rafique on Monday chaired a meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram in Sargodha.

Provincial Minister and Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin, Provincial Ministers Malik Sohaib Ahmad Bherth and Bilal Akbar Khan also attended the meeting besides Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial, Additional IG Imran Arshad, Chief Coordinator PFTIC Brigadier Asjad Ali, DIG Sajjad Manj, Additional Secretary Home Asma Ijaz Cheema, Additional Secretary Abdul Rauf, as well as deputy commissioners and district police officers from across Sargodha Division.

Commissioner Sargodha Hafiz Shaukat Ali and RPO Dr Shehzad Asif briefed the participants on Muharram security arrangements.

The meeting was informed that arrangements had been finalised for all 5,457 majalis and 1,221 processions across Sargodha Division. Orders had also been issued for the district restriction of 188 firebrand speakers and the gagging of 102 individuals to prevent hate speech and maintain public order. It was further informed that six companies of the Pakistan Army and 10 companies of Rangers would be deployed in Sargodha Division for security duties during Muharram.

Addressing the meeting, Salman Rafique said that on the directions of the chief minister, the Cabinet Committee was personally visiting all divisions to review arrangements. He said that the administration, police, health department, Civil Defence and Rescue 1122 were fully prepared to ensure peaceful observance of Muharram.

Bilal Yasin directed authorities to ensure that all traditional processions and religious gatherings were secured in accordance with the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Minister Sohaib Bherth said that the overall situation would be monitored through the central control room of the Home Department.

Later, the Cabinet Committee met members of the Divisional Peace Committee as well as religious scholars and spiritual leaders from Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar and Mianwali districts.

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Representatives of all schools of thought attended the meeting and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for Muharram-ul-Haram. The scholars informed the committee that they had personally reviewed arrangements at various locations and held consultations with representatives of all sects. They appreciated the preparedness of the administration and expressed confidence that Muharram would be observed peacefully.

Salman Rafique lauded the role of religious scholars in maintaining law and order, while provincial ministers urged all schools of thought to guide their followers towards promoting peace and avoiding provocative content online.

Following the meeting, the Cabinet Committee visited the District Emergency Operations Centre, Safe City Control Room and routes of the main Ashura procession in Sargodha. They reviewed monitoring arrangements and emergency response mechanisms. The district administration informed the committee that processions and majalis would be monitored through CCTV cameras installed across the city.

The committee also visited the Safe City Monitoring Centre, where officials briefed them on live monitoring, video recording and surveillance systems. The briefing highlighted that all religious gatherings and processions in the four districts of Sargodha Division would be monitored through Safe City cameras.

The Cabinet Committee conducted a detailed inspection of security, sanitation, lighting and medical facilities along the route of the central Ashura procession. The delegation also visited Imambargah Block No. 19 and met prominent Shia community leaders, who expressed satisfaction over the security and administrative arrangements.

The committee also appreciated the preparedness and coordinated efforts of the administration, police, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments.