The Gilgit-Baltistan government is likely to reinstate the tow prayer leaders arrested earlier for making hate speeches in the region’s capital city.
“The cabinet will meet in Gilgit on Monday to take up the decision in this regard and it is likely that the two central Sunni and Shia mosques that each of the clerics represent will be unsealed,” said a source privy to the development.
The decision will be based on recommendations by a parliamentary peace committee and the Masjid Board.
The two mosques were sealed following bouts of sectarian violence in Gilgit last month. The prayer leader of Gilgit’s Sunni central mosque, Qazi Nisar, has been under house arrest since.
On the other hand, the authorities have no clue about the Shia prayer leader Agha Rahat’s whereabouts.
Earlier, the government had decided to send both clerics to jail, but the decision was withheld after they assured the government to abide by the code of conduct prepared by the peace committee.
The code binds prayer leaders of both central mosques from making hate-speeches or use harsh language against their rival sect’s revered personalities.
According to a committee member, Amjad Hussain, the main issues barring the reopening of the mosques have been resolved with the signing of the code of conduct, and the mosques can now be reopened without any concern.
“There were some laxities in maintaining law and order on the government’s part as well, but we have taken strict security measures to avoid any violence in the future,” he added.
Attaullah Shahab, a committee member and the adviser to prime minister, said he is personally supervising the efforts being taken for durable peace in the region and all efforts will be taken for this purpose.
G-B Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmad appreciated the cooperation of clerics with the peace committee. He said that the government is planning to draft a legislation to give legal cover to the code of conduct and the Masjid Board which is represented by a total of 20 members from both sects.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
-(1)1714116455-0/Heeramandireactions-(2)-(1)1714116455-0-270x192.webp)
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
One can't expect any durable peace when each and every word and step is taken in the context of sect and etc. I wish peace prevails there, but the cancer is in advance stage and now the religious institutions are more powerful than the name sack administration which proved failure and the army was called to save its skin. It was proved once again that the religious insitutions needs a conde of conduct, but who invaded Lal mosque is now most wanted person. I have heared series of fatwas from almost all mosques of Pakistan against each others or at least ahmadies, otherwise, they can't be considered as daring mullahs. What we trying to prove by sealing only two mosques here? when the other millions are still doing the same.