By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The government has authorised the nationwide deployment of the military and civil armed forces to bolster security during Muharram-ul-Haram, a sacred Islamic month marked by mourning and large-scale religious observances, particularly among Shia Muslims.
The interior ministry’s approval, announced on Friday, responds to requests from all provincial governments, as well as those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting heightened concerns over potential unrest as the country prepares for Ashura on July 6.
Muharram commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was martyred alongside family members and companions, an event that holds profound significance for Muslims worldwide.
The month’s first 10 days, culminating in Ashura, see a surge in religious processions and gatherings, prompting authorities to implement robust security measures to avert sectarian violence or terrorist attacks, which have marred such occasions in the past.
A notification from the interior ministry outlined the deployment’s legal foundation, citing Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. These provisions allow the federal government to mobilise military and paramilitary forces to assist civil authorities in maintaining order during periods of elevated risk.
The deployment, the notification specified, is “subject to laws enforced in the country” and aims to support civil power during Muharram. Details of the operation remain fluid. “The exact number, date and area of deployment of Pakistan Army and CAFs [civil armed forces] troops/assets will be worked out by all provincial governments including Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Govt. of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and ICT administration in consultation with concerned stakeholders on the basis of on-ground requirement/assessment,” the notification stated.
It added that the withdrawal of these forces, “the date of de-requisitioning”, would be determined later through mutual consultation among all stakeholders.
The deployment follows a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday, where security plans for all provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad were meticulously reviewed.
The session yielded several critical decisions, including a resolve to “launch a crackdown against elements spreading religious hatred on social media during Muharram and take strict legal action against them.”
Officials also agreed to forward “clear recommendations” to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suppress hate content on electronic and social media platforms. Further measures to ensure peace and order were greenlit, with Naqvi emphasizing a pragmatic approach to potential disruptions.
“Decisions regarding internet and mobile service suspensions [should be made] on the basis of ground realities and the security situation,” he directed, noting that any move to limit communication services would be decided in consultation with provincial authorities and tied to specific security threats. Such suspensions, used in previous years to thwart attack coordination, remain a contentious but effective tool in Pakistan’s security playbook.
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