Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas: Punjab police roll out province-wide security shield

LAHORE: Punjab Police has released a comprehensive security plan ahead of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas on December 25, to ensure the safety of citizens and religious sites across the province.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, more than 30,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed to provide security at churches throughout Punjab. In Lahore alone, over 5,000 officers and personnel will be assigned security duties. Additionally, more than 1,000 police personnel will be deployed for programs organized in connection with Quaid-e-Azam Day.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab said that security will remain on high alert during both occasions, with additional personnel deployed at sensitive churches and important locations. He instructed police officers to remain vigilant and maintain a close watch on anti-national elements and suspicious individuals.

The IG Punjab added that supervisory officers must personally ensure effective security arrangements at churches, while leaders of all schools of thought were urged to play their role in promoting interfaith harmony during Christmas celebrations.

To enhance surveillance, ceremonies and gatherings will be continuously monitored through Safe Cities Authority cameras. Commandos and snipers will be deployed at sensitive churches and key places, while Dolphin Squad, PRU, elite police teams, and other units will carry out effective patrolling. Teams from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Special Branch have also been directed to take action against terrorist and miscreant elements.

Punjab IG has directed all RPOs, DPOs, and CTOs to closely monitor security as well as traffic arrangements. Flag marches and search-and-sweep operations are already underway around churches ahead of Christmas.

Security will also be ensured at sensitive installations and entertainment venues during the festive period. Lady police personnel will be deployed to conduct security checks for women on both Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas.

The police spokesperson added that churches have been categorized based on sensitivity: 142 churches in Category A, 291 in Category B, and more than 2,500 in Category C.