TNFJ Sindh president Syed Waqar Hasan Taqvi said that the government needs to restrict the activities of banned terrorist outfits if it wanted to maintain peace in the province. “We had several meetings with the authorities earlier this month,” he said. “We made it quite clear that this was the only practical way to improve the situation in Muharram.”
While speaking at the Karachi Press Club on Monday, he said that activities of terrorist organisations would continue even if they changed their names over time. He added that the incident at Numaish Chowarangi on Sunday was proof enough the government was being negligent. “A banned organistaion was allowed to hold a rally on MA Jinnah Road,” he said. “We hold our Muharram congregations there every year. What more can I say?”
Taqvi said that the government should take practical steps which were similar to the code of azadari drafted by TNFJ leader Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi.
“Terrorists have tried their best to pressure us into hiding in our homes,” he said. “For hundreds of years, we have defied all sorts of atrocities and we will continue to do so.”
He demanded that the government should establish Muharram azadari cells in the interior ministry to help solve any problems they may have. He also demanded that media houses should not broadcast dramas and musical programmes in the first ten days of Muharram. Taqvi advised political and religious leaders to suspend political activities during the first ten days too.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
COMMENTS (3)
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This is clear, no doubt that Government is responsible to provide security to the Shia Muslim everywhere in pakistan but after all we have to be more careful as there might be threats from TTP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and many other terrorist groups. we cannot ignore their coward attempts in rallies. We must be alert all the time to counter any attempt. Anjumans and scouts should cooperate with security personel to stop any mishap. Any suspected person should be reported soon and police should be informed in time.
This is the duty of the government to provide security to all the approx 180 million people of Pakistan. No good deed should be stopped because of security issues, this has been taught by Islam. And these gathering are not the size show demonstration,its rather the display of unity which all muslims & Pakistanis should also learn from this community.
Well the only step needed for good law and order situation throughout the country is to avoid such huge rallies which are hard to cover by security and LEA. The ashura gatherings have become more of a size show demonstration by the Shia community than a religious ritual. Allah protect us all, the beginning of Muharram was not good!