Karachi police tighten security for Friday prayers

Karachi Police have issued directives to enhance security across the metropolis during Friday prayers, deploying both plainclothes and uniformed personnel on key routes and sensitive locations. According to a police spokesperson, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Azad Khan has instructed officials to ensure comprehensive security arrangements at the police station level through coordinated efforts. Police authorities have been directed to keep vehicle and motorcycle parking at a safe distance from mosques and imambargahs to minimise risks. Read: Karachi police issue security alert for Friday prayers Citizens have also been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, individuals, or unattended vehicles, bags or parcels to Madadgar 15 or the nearest mobile police unit. All sub-divisional officers (SDOs) and station house officers (SHOs) have been tasked with personally overseeing security arrangements until the conclusion of Friday prayers. Police personnel have been strictly instructed not to leave their assigned duty points during the Friday prayer. The spokesperson warned that any negligence or lapse in implementing security measures would result in strict legal as well as departmental action. Read More: Police register terrorism cases after deadly protest at US Consulate in Karachi Meanwhile, in early March, security measures were further reinforced at the provincial level as Ziaul-Hassan Lanjar chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation and preparedness for potential protests. The session was attended by senior officials, including representatives from Sindh Police and other law enforcement agencies, who conducted a detailed assessment of security arrangements across the province. The minister directed authorities to ensure the maintenance of law and order under all circumstances, warning that any negligence would not be tolerated. He also instructed officials to engage with religious scholars to promote coordination and maintain peace, while reiterating that strict action would be taken against the display of weapons and any attempts to disrupt public order.