The Punjab government has decided to enforce section 144 throughout the province, considering the Muharram-Ul-Haram, as part of the efforts to maintain law and order and prevent sectarian turmoil.
The ban will be in effect from 1 to 10. By Muharram and will ban the display of weapons, fireworks and any material that is likely to encourage sectarian or religious tensions in public spaces without the prior permission of authorities, Express News reported.
Double riding will be banned on Muharram 9 and 10, although elderly, women and law enforcement staff will be exempt from this restriction.
Authorities have clarified that no new processions or changes in traditional Majalis routes will be allowed. Public statements or content that promotes sectarian or ethnic hatred, whether through devices or social media platforms, is also prohibited during the order.
Read: Strict Muharram -Se security promised
In addition, residents are prohibited from building structures such as positions or collection of stones, bottles or waste on roof roofs along processional routes. Spectators are not allowed to gather on a roof or storey shop during processions.
Apart from the double riding ban, all other restrictions will remain effective throughout the first ten days of Muharram.
Meanwhile, safety has been ramped up in the provincial capital. The dolphin team and the police response unit have been placed on high alarm to ensure security during Muharram activities.
In a recent Operation, Dolphin Force restored firearms from a suspicious black -colored vehicle on Multan Road and arrested five suspects.
Recovering items included two rifles, three guns, dozens of balls and magazines.
According to SP Dolphin Arslan Zahid, the suspects – Kashif Ali, Muhammad Rahat, Azeem Anwar, Muhammad Mansab and Basharat Ali – have been handed over to the Chuhang police station for further lawsuits.
Previously, the Punjab government has rolled a comprehensive security plan for Muharram, which has incorporated digital monitoring, coordination between agencies and infrastructure measures to ensure peaceful religious observations throughout the province.
According to the home department, Muharram probably begins on June 26 or 27, subject to moonlight. A digital portal has been enabled to monitor Majalis, processional routes and sensitive places with Deputy Commissioners asked to upload relevant data within five days. The system is managed by Kamran Taj from the home department’s MIS section.
To strengthen security, the department has formally requested the deployment of the Pakistani Army and Punjab Rangers and asks for location and duration details within a week. The request also includes mobile signal knuting in specific high -risk zones.
To prevent sectarian turmoil, the government has required non-shit-religious gatherings to remain physically separated from Shia events.
