Pakistan: Increased security ahead Muharram holy month

Event

Pakistani security forces are increasing their presence in cities across the country ahead of the holy month of Muharram, which will begin on Thursday, September 21. Security forces began a crackdown on suspected militants on Monday, September 18. In Gilgit, police arrested four people in a raid on a local hotel. Authorities in Diamer district also arrested six individuals, while police in Deral arrested three others.

Security forces have also increased their presence across the country in to protect religious gatherings. Officials in Larkana announced on Thursday, September 14, that around 16,665 policemen will be deployed to provide security for prayer processions and mosques across the country. Authorities in Lahore announced similar security arrangements on September 1. Furthermore, approximately 30,000 security personnel will be deployed throughout Karachi during Muharram following credible threats from the Tejrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Security arrangements will include additional checkpoints across the city, particularly around mosques and other religious sites.  Security officials in Islamabad announced on Tuesday, September 19, that they will deploy over 14,000 personnel to provide security during the first ten days of Muharram.

Large-scale disruptions to cell phone service during this period are also likely. Road closures and spontaneous violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

Muharram begins on the Hijri New Year, which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. The holy month is dedicated to collective prayer, especially around the tenth day of the month, and includes many large religious processions.

Extremist Islamist groups continue to pose a threat throughout the country, carrying out attacks despite an army offensive launched in 2014 to push them out of their northwestern strongholds, located near the border with Afghanistan.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan are advised to remain vigilant at all times, and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.

On a more general note, due to a high threat from terrorism, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence, throughout Pakistan, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the country, where foreign nationals, in particular Westerners, may be directly targeted.