PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, visited the Safe City Command and Control Headquarters at Police Lines Peshawar to review security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram.
During the visit, the IGP was briefed on the province-wide security plan for Muharram, monitoring of sensitive processions and gatherings, the Safe City camera network, modern surveillance systems, emergency response mechanisms, and coordination with field units.
Officials informed the IGP that Peshawar city has been fully covered through an extensive camera network, enabling police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to identify wanted individuals in real time through advanced surveillance technology. Traffic violations are also being monitored through the system.
As part of enhanced security measures, around 80 police personnel have been equipped with body-worn cameras, while more than 30 City Patrol vehicles are conducting live monitoring operations. Thermal imaging cameras are also being used for surveillance during nighttime hours.
A total of 347 cameras installed at various locations are monitoring Muharram processions and gatherings, while an additional 167 surveillance cameras are providing continuous coverage across the city.
The Safe City Headquarters in Peshawar is also directly monitoring the security situation in several districts, including Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Mardan, Hangu, Lakki Marwat and Tank.
The IGP inspected different sections of the Command and Control Centre, including live monitoring systems, video walls, emergency call response facilities and security operations procedures.
Speaking to the media, Zulfiqar Hameed said that advanced technologies, including number plate recognition systems, facial recognition cameras and thermal imaging technology, are being utilized to strengthen security arrangements during Muharram.
He stated that the Safe City Control Room would remain fully operational throughout Muharram to monitor all sensitive locations and the overall security situation. According to the IGP, security arrangements have been finalized in 14 districts of the province, six of which have been categorized as highly sensitive.
Personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC) will be deployed alongside police, while drone surveillance will be carried out in sensitive districts. He added that anti-drone technology has also been incorporated into the security plan in view of the increasing use of quadcopter drones.
The IGP emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, the CTD, Special Branch and all law enforcement agencies remain on high alert due to prevailing security challenges in the province. Any potential threat will be dealt with immediately and decisively.
He reiterated the commitment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police to ensuring the protection of lives and property, safeguarding religious freedom and maintaining peace during Muharram-ul-Haram through the effective utilization of all available resources.
Earlier, the IGP chaired a video-link meeting with Regional Police Officers (RPOs) to review Muharram security arrangements across the province. The meeting discussed security plans, deployment of personnel, intelligence-based operations, search and strike operations, social media monitoring, and the use of Safe City technology and surveillance systems.
The IGP directed all district control rooms to remain fully operational and instructed Quick Response Forces to remain prepared to respond to any emergency situation during Muharram-ul-Haram.
