Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday directed senior administrative and police officials to personally monitor field arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram, stressing strict security, public facilitation and coordinated law enforcement across the province.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the chief minister instructed Commissioners, Regional Police Officers (RPOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs), District Police Officers (DPOs) and Assistant Commissioners to remain present in the field during Muharram and supervise arrangements themselves instead of relying solely on desk work.
She appealed to citizens to cooperate in maintaining law and order across Punjab during the holy month and emphasized that public safety must remain the top priority. She directed authorities to set up cold water points along procession routes amid an ongoing heatwave in the province. She also ordered that signboards be placed to clearly mark routes for processions and gatherings.
Highlighting security concerns, Maryam instructed law enforcement agencies to ensure advanced training for field police formations to identify potential suicide bomb threats and remain on high alert at all times. She ordered strict implementation of the ban on loudspeakers, continuation of combing operations and enhanced intelligence sharing and coordination among agencies.
She also praised Safe City authorities for introducing QR-coded panic button systems, directing that participants of processions and meetings be encouraged to download and use QR codes for emergency response. In case of any emergency, the system will be activated through the panic button.
The chief minister directed sanitation authorities, including Clean Punjab teams, to ensure cleanliness, water sprinkling and fragrance arrangements along procession routes. She said mourners should feel that the government stands with them and is fully committed to facilitating their religious observances.
She added that construction materials, obstacles, open manholes, and drainage issues must be immediately cleared to ensure safe passage for processions. “Criminals should not be spared, but good treatment of the common man is our responsibility,” she said, stressing that officials must address even minor public grievances during Muharram.
Maryam welcomes Iran-US peace deal
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has welcomed the reported Iran–US peace agreement, terming it a major diplomatic achievement facilitated through Pakistan’s efforts, and praised the country’s political, military, and diplomatic leadership for their role in promoting global peace.
She said that history would remember Pakistan’s contribution in preventing global economic instability, bloodshed and a wider international crisis. According to her, Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has ushered in what she described as “a new dawn of peace” in the world.
Maryam paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, saying they had elevated Pakistan’s global standing and made the country an example of responsible leadership.
She stated that when the world needed Pakistan, it did not disappoint, adding that the leadership successfully transformed “flames of war into the light of negotiations.” She said Pakistan had performed a significant humanitarian service by contributing to global peace efforts and helping avert economic and geopolitical crises.
“Pakistan has become an example of peace, prudence, and responsible leadership for the whole world today,” she added, noting that citizens should take pride in the country’s diplomatic achievements.