The Interior Ministry has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army across the country during Muharram to ensure peace and security.
The deployment, sanctioned under Article 245 of the Constitution, comes in response to requests from various provincial governments and administrative regions.
The governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, along with the administrations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, had all requested the deployment of army troops to maintain law and order during the significant religious period.
A notification issued by the Interior Ministry confirmed the army’s deployment across the country. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens during Muharram, a time marked by processions and religious gatherings.
Earlier, the Sindh government had contacted the military authorities for the army’s deployment in the province for the holy month. According to an Interior Ministry notification, army, Rangers, and FC troops will be deployed keeping in view the ground conditions.
The Sindh Home Department has prepared a road map for army deployment in Muharram. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the army will be deployed in Sindh like the rest of the country. The army is being deployed to help the civil administration, the order of the Interior Ministry says, The army will be deployed as per requirement in mutual consultation of the parties concerned and the home departments.
On Friday, the Punjab government had requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers to ensure peace and order during Muharram throughout the province.
Sources indicated that the Punjab Home Department recommended to the federal government the services of 160 companies of the Pakistan Army and Rangers. Specifically, 81 companies of the Pakistan Rangers and 79 companies of the Army were requested to provide security from 1 to 10 Muharram.
These forces will be deployed across various districts in Punjab to address any potential security concerns.
Also in Punjab, in preparation for the security measures during Muharram, the government announced the implementation of Section 144 across the province. The restrictions will be in effect from the 1st to the 10th of Muharram.
According to the Punjab Home Department, the government has prohibited any new innovations in Muharram processions and majalis. The display of all types of weapons and incendiary materials in public places is banned unless permission is granted by a competent authority. This measure is intended to prevent any potential threats to public safety.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is of particular significance to Muslims, especially the 10th day, known as Ashura. The period is observed with various religious events, including large public gatherings, which necessitate enhanced security measures.
On Saturday, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, announced that the moon for the month of Muharram was not sighted. The announcement was made during a press conference following the committee’s meeting in Quetta.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirmed that no credible evidence of the moon’s sighting was received from any part of the country. Consequently, the Islamic New Year will commence after the completion of the current lunar month.
Based on this announcement, the 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, will be observed on Wednesday, July 17.
