Police show preparedness ahead of Muharram in Islamabad

Over two dozen clerics including Khadim Rizvi, Aurangzeb Farooqi banned

ISLAMABAD: The police on Wednesday conducted a flag march in the city to maintain peace and tranquillity in the city during Muharram.

The march came as the district administration placed curbs on over two dozen clerics in the federal capital.

The flag march was conducted under the supervision of the Industrial Area Superintendent of Police Hassam bin Iqbal and saw all SDPOs and SHOs of the Industrial Zone, Islamabad Traffic Police, police commandos, Rescue 15 police and police patrolling officials participate.



The march started from the Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at the same spot after passing through Dhokri Chowk, Rawal Dam Chowk, Shehzad Town, Tramri Chow, Lehtrar Road, Khanna Bridge, Koral Chowk, PWD Housing Society, Kaak Bridge to Kahuta road, Imam Bargah Haideri in Sihala, Imam Bargah Niazian Expressway, Sain Boota Shrine Faizabad, Sector I-8 Markaz, Imambargah Jafferia Sector I-10 Markaz, Imam Bargah Moosa Kazim, Imambargah Baltastania, Police Lines Headquarters, Kashmir Highway, Jhangi Syedan, Imam Bargah Qadeemi to Imam Bargah Baitul Hussain and Aabpara Chowk.

Operations SSP Najeebur Rehman Bugvi has said that the Islamabad Police have made comprehensive security arrangements for Muharram.

He vowed that the police will accomplish their responsibility in an efficient manner to ensure protection for the lives and property of citizens.

SSP Bugvi explained that the purpose of this flag march was to show the preparedness of police and other law enforcement agencies during the holy month and to counter any challenges and maintain peace in the city.

He directed all SDPOs and the SHOs to make effective security arrangements in their respective areas. He added that Islamabad Police would maintain a close liaison with peace committees and organizers of Muharram congregations and processions.



Clerics banned

The Islamabad capital territory administration (ICTA) has barred 12 firebrand clerics from making speeches during Muharram, while 14 others were banned from even entering the capital for two months.

The clerics have been banned keeping in view their past record and include former Lal Masjid khateeb Abdul Aziz, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s (MWM)Ameen Shaheedi and Nasir Abbas Jafri, as well as Khadim Hussain Rizvi and several Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leaders.

Orders issued by the ICT district magistrate on Wednesday read that the 26 clerics who have been banned were “sectarian agitators, firebrand speakers and likely to indulge in sectarian activities.”

The clerics barred from making speeches in the city include Aziz; ASWJ’s Abdul Rehman Muaviah, Masjid Qasmia Sector F-8/3 khateeb Qari Ahsanullah; and Abdul Razzaq Haidri, who is the khateeb of Masjid Abdullah Bin Masood in Sector G-9 Markaz. Similarly, MWM General Secretary Nasir Abbas Jafri and MWM leader Ameen Shaheedi have also been placed under the ban. Two other Shia clerics included in the list are Agha Shifa Najfi of Masjid Imam Al-Sadiq in Sector G-9, and Sheikh Mohsin Ali Najfi, who is the principal of Jamia Ahle Bait in Sector F-7/4.

Clerics from the Barelvi school of thought who have been barred from addressing crowds include Zafar Iqbal Jalali, Imtiaz Hussain Kazmi and Liaqat Rizvi. Allama Muhammad Younis Qureshi, Khateeb of Masjid al-Furqan Sector G-9/4 from the Ahle Hadith sect is also barred from addressing crowds.

At least 14 other firebrand clerics have been banned from entering the capital during Muharram. These include ASWJ’s Aurangzeb Farooqi as well as Tahir Ashraf; Muhammad Ilyas Ghumman of Sargodha; Hafiz Muhammad Saddique of Wah Cantt; and Abdul Khaliq Rehmani of Kabeerwala.

Barelvi’s Khadim Hussain Rizvi — who led a blockade of the Faizabad interchange last year; Muhammad Yousuf Rizvi alias Toka; Pir Irfan Al-Mashadi and Dr Asif Ashraf Jalali have also been barred from entering the revenue limits of ICT for two months.

Shia clerics banned from entering the capital include Syed Zakir Maqbool Hassan of Chakwal; Hafiz Tasaddaq Hussain from Lahore; Allama Muhammad Iqbal from Chichawatni; Allama Ghazanfar Tunsavi from Bahawalpur; and Allama Jaffar Jatoi from Lahore.

“Above named ulemas shall not enter, reside or remain in the revenue limits of district Islamabad for a period of two months,” the order read.

Citing the report by the police special branch, it said the clerics banned from entering the capital were “in the habit of making inflammatory/objectionable and fiery speeches on sectarian issues”.



The orders, issued under the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960, said the clerics placed under ban were likely to deliver provocative and sectarian speeches which could create animosity and hatred between various religious sects and disturb public peace and order.

“In the current security environment of ICT coupled with threat perception of terrorism, it is apprehended that any break out of law and order due to sectarian violence may be used by terrorists as an opportunity to achieve their objectives,” the orders said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2018.