Punjab govt puts in place extensive security, monitoring and facilitation arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2026) The Punjab government, under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has put in place extensive security, monitoring and facilitation arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram gatherings and processions across the province.

According to official figures, the provincial administration has remained on high alert for the past eight days to ensure the safety and convenience of mourners participating in Muharram observances, said a handout issued here on Thursday.

Officials said a new administrative and security model has been introduced this year, combining command-and-control mechanisms with public facilitation measures.

For the first time, anti-smog guns and sprinkler systems have been deployed in several districts to spray water along procession routes to provide relief from extreme heat and humidity.

The government has also launched a digital monitoring system linking all 4,836 Imambargahs in Punjab through QR codes, enabling authorities to receive and respond to requests and information more efficiently.

Organisers of majalis have been urged to download and utilize the QR-based system.

Special arrangements have been made for the provision of cold drinking water along procession routes, while mobile health units, field hospitals, Rescue 1122 teams, Civil Defence personnel and volunteers have been deployed to assist mourners.

Sanitation workers have also been assigned to maintain cleanliness around imambargahs and procession routes.

A three-tier security plan has been enforced across the province.

More than 125,000 police personnel have been deployed, supported by 61 companies of the Pakistan Army, 76 companies of Rangers, and over 30,000 trained volunteers.

The chief minister is personally monitoring arrangements, while district administrations and law-enforcement agencies remain on high alert.

A cyber patrolling unit has also been activated to monitor and counter online hate speech, sectarian content and incitement.

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Officials said more than 6,000 social media accounts and pieces of content deemed objectionable have been reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

To ensure uninterrupted coordination during potential communication disruptions, the Punjab government has launched its own LTE network. Processions and majalis are being monitored through live CCTV feeds at the Provincial Intelligence Centre, while control rooms at provincial and district levels have been placed on high alert.

Authorities said over 5,600 CCTV cameras, 1,040 body-worn cameras and more than 1,000 4g event cameras have been deployed for security monitoring. In addition, 43 intelligence-based operations have been carried out across the province ahead of Muharram.

The government reiterated that no new procession routes or gatherings would be allowed beyond those already licensed and traditionally observed.

A digital map of all majalis and processions has been prepared, and a hotline remains operational between the provincial government and religious scholars to maintain inter-sect harmony.

Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab.

Standing on rooftops along procession routes, displaying weapons, misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking and delivery of provocative speeches have been prohibited.

Officials said legal action would be taken against violators. As part of preventive measures, restrictions have been imposed on 794 clerics, while 1,418 individuals have been barred from entering specific areas.

Motorcycle pillion riding will remain banned across the province on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

The provincial cabinet committee on law and order has completed visits to all nine divisions of Punjab, while peace committees have held 1,220 coordination meetings at the grassroots level.

According to official data, a total of 47,280 majalis and processions are expected to be held across Punjab during Muharram, including 37,868 majalis and 9,412 processions.