Punjab Issues Security Guidelines for Ramazan

The Punjab Home Department on Friday released detailed security directives for Ramazan, prioritizing the protection of mosques, religious sites, and Ramazan markets across the province.

Authorities have been instructed to take strict action against hoarders and profiteers, regulate loudspeakers under the Punjab Sound Systems Act, ban public display of weapons, and monitor social media for hate speech and provocative content.

Offensive wall chalking and posters will be removed under the Punjab Wall Chalking Act, while public consumption of food and drink during fasting hours remains prohibited under the Respect for Ramazan Ordinance, 1981.

Enhanced security will be provided at mosques, madrassas, imambargahs, and markets, with additional personnel deployed during Sehri, Iftar, Taraweeh, and Friday prayers. City entry and exit points will be strictly checked, and biometric systems, CCTV cameras, walk-through gates, and searchlights will be installed.

Three-tier security arrangements, including barriers and razor wire, will be set up at key locations, with controlled entry and exit routes.

Special Iftar arrangements will be made for security personnel, while volunteer and private guard deployment will be coordinated with local administrations.

The Home Department has also ordered monitoring of proscribed organisations and individuals under the Fourth Schedule, with coordination between law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Mosque mapping, geo-tagging, and formation of mosque management committees are part of the plan.

Emergency services, including Rescue 1122, fire brigades, bomb disposal squads, and medical staff, will remain fully operational, with district control rooms linked to the central Home Department control room to ensure smooth implementation.

The department affirmed that all available resources will be deployed to ensure a peaceful and secure Ramazan across Punjab.