Bahawalpur: Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Dr. Ayesha Khan chaired separate meetings to review security arrangements for upcoming religious observances and preparations for Kashmir Exploitation Day on August 5, directing all relevant departments to ensure effective coordination and timely implementation of assigned responsibilities.
Presiding over the District Peace Committee meeting, Dr. Ayesha Khan reviewed administrative and security plans for the sacred occasions of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), and the Chehlum of Hazrat Ali (RA).
Officials informed the meeting that 56 religious gatherings (Majalis) would be held across the district, including six B-category and 50 C-category events, while 30 processions are scheduled, comprising one A-category, eight B-category, and 21 C-category processions.
Dr. Ayesha Khan directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure comprehensive security for all religious events. She instructed the authorities to conduct technical sweeping of procession routes, maintain strict surveillance at sensitive locations, and complete all security arrangements well before the events.
The meeting also decided to prohibit vehicle parking within a 500-yard radius of Majalis venues to strengthen security measures. MEPCO was directed to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply during the events and remove hanging power lines along procession routes. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and the Municipal Corporation were instructed to ensure cleanliness, restore streetlights, and cover open drains and manholes on procession routes.
The Health Department and Rescue 1122 were directed to keep field hospitals, ambulances, fire brigade units, and emergency response services on high alert, while the Punjab Food Authority was instructed to regularly inspect food distributed at Niaz and Sabeel points to ensure public health and safety.
Officials further informed the meeting that rescue vehicles had been serviced, special duty rosters finalized, and a 24-hour control room would remain operational to coordinate emergency response throughout the religious observances.
Dr. Ayesha Khan directed all concerned departments to remain on full alert and perform their duties with close coordination to ensure that the sacred occasions are observed peacefully, safely, and in an orderly manner.
In a separate meeting, Dr. Ayesha Khan reviewed district-level arrangements for observing Kashmir Exploitation Day on August 5. Addressing the meeting, she said all events marking the occasion should be organized with patriotism, dignity, and national spirit to reaffirm solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and highlight their right to self-determination before the international community. She directed the concerned departments to complete all arrangements well in advance and emphasized that no negligence in organizing the official programmes would be tolerated. Stressing the national importance of the occasion, she instructed all departments to maintain close coordination and cooperation to ensure that Kashmir Exploitation Day is observed in a befitting manner across the district.
Officials from the relevant departments attended the meeting and briefed participants on the planned programmes and administrative arrangements for the observance.