Punjab govt unveils security, digital monitoring plan for Muharram

A meeting of the Ittehad-e-Bain-ul-Muslimeen (Interfaith Harmony) Committee was held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb to review arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram, officials said on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Salman Rafique, Bilal Yasin, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, along with religious scholars, clerics from different schools of thought, members of peace committees and other religious leaders.

Participants praised the provincial government’s arrangements regarding security, health services, food distribution (langar), water stalls (sabeel), and sanitation during Muharram.

Call for unity and responsible messaging

Addressing the meeting, Maryam Aurangzeb said Muharram should be observed with a message of tolerance, unity, and brotherhood, urging religious scholars to promote harmony and avoid divisive rhetoric in their sermons.

She stressed that the government had deployed cyber patrolling teams and rapid response mechanisms to curb online provocation, misinformation, and rumour-mongering during the holy month.

The minister said focal persons had been appointed in every district to monitor and take action against fake news, adding that legal action, including FIRs and arrests, would be taken against those spreading religious hatred or false information.

She emphasised that coordination between the government and religious scholars would continue throughout Muharram, and called for regular engagement to maintain social cohesion.

Security and administrative measures

Maryam Aurangzeb said the provincial government was further strengthening Muharram security arrangements compared to previous years, with technology-based monitoring systems being introduced to ensure safety and effective crowd management.

She added that control rooms were being established in both the Information Department and Home Department to monitor developments in real time and respond swiftly to any incidents.

The senior minister directed administrative officials to remain on high alert and ensure uninterrupted public facilitation across all districts.

She also noted that fake videos and content inciting sectarian hatred would not be tolerated, warning that strict action would be taken against those responsible.

The minister said Chief Minister Punjab was personally overseeing all arrangements to ensure smooth coordination and effective implementation.

Commitment to harmony and global peace

Participants of the meeting appreciated Pakistan’s broader role in promoting peace and stability at the global level, and acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in contributing to peace efforts.

The meeting concluded with a collective prayer for national security, stability, and peaceful observance of Muharram across the country.