By Afshain Afzal 

In a meeting on 24 August 2024,  Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi in inspected the security arrangements for th TVe Chehlum processions in Rawalpindi on 25 and 26 August 2024. It has become a national event where more than 15,000 personnel are deployed to ensure security through close liaison with peace committees and procession organisers. Cooperation from the organisers facilitated effective collaboration with the police and law enforcement officials during processions, which is researched and proper booklets are issued to each office or group.

NOTIFICATION OF LOCAL HOLIDAY. After the DCO issued notification for a local holiday on 25 August 2024,  and arrangements made accordingly, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar was tasked to supervise the security arrangements as the route of the procession will be monitored through CCTV cameras with well-trained shooters deployed on rooftops of buildings. Over 3,000 officers and personnel from other law enforcement agencies are also taking part in the event. 

INSTALLATION OF METAL DETECTORS. Arrangements for checking participants using metal detectors were ensured and strict vigilance was maintained to confirm that security measures were in place by both the police and peace committees. 

MOBILE SERVEIANCE BY POLICE AND COMMANDOS.  Police officials were instructed to conduct effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for this purpose  LIGHTINING ARRANGEMENTS. Pakistan Rangers and other law enforcement agencies also assisted the Islamabad police in ensuring elaborate security arrangements. All zonal officers were directed to make proper lighting arrangements after negotiations with the relevant authorities and to clear bushes in areas around places of worship.

TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ROAD BLOCKS. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Beenish Fatima  Rawalpindi issued a traffic diversion plan and ordered deployment of 215 personnel to maintain traffic in Rawalpindi Cantonment area. ADDITIONAL DEPLOYMENT. In addition, more than 4,600 police personnel have been deployed by the district police to maintain peace during Chehlum processions and Majalis. Of the 4,600 personnel, 4,400 will perform security duty with the Chehlum procession as walk-through gates will be erected at the entry points while every mourner will be subjected to body search before joining the procession.   

QUESTIONS OF CONCERN.  Unannounced traffic divesion, closure of highways, discontinuation of Internet services preventing electronic transactions and online bookings and contact agreements have caused loss of millions of dollars to individuals and groups in a single day on 25 August 2024. There are some serious questions which state must answer to educate its citizens:-

 - Can Chehlum, Urs, and Barsis be declared as official?  Who can declare local holiday and do such declaration is also applicable to government departments,  semi-government and autonomous organizations? 

 - Can any authority permanently close National Highway (Grand Trunk Road) for a complete day and under what context?

 - Which authority can permanently close internet services for full day or so? 

 - Who can order deployment of armed personnel on private rooftops of house and other buildings? 

 - Who bears the expenses food, transportation, Daily Allowances and, Travelling Allowances of such huge deployments? 

 -  Who can authorize official equipment like walkthrough gates and scanners for private events?

 - Can Traffic police close roads and highways by placing huge containers?