Clerics urged to preach tolerance, not hatred

Peace agreements, brokered by the government between top clerics of Sunni and Shia sects, have not been successful.


Shabbir Mir August 30, 2010

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah said that his government cannot afford to experiment every time sectarian violence breaks out, to establish peace and sectarian harmony in the region.

He was referring to the rounds of dialogue that the government has held in the past with representatives of rival sects, to bring about sectarian harmony. Even peace agreements, brokered by the government between top clerics of Sunni and Shia sects, have not been successful.

“Clerics should support the government in maintaining peace and harmony by preaching tolerance instead of hatred,” he said.

“We cannot do more experiments,” Shah told the media in Gilgit. “This is the last chance for the police to act as a professional force,” he added, without elaborating what the next step will be if his actions fail to bring about the desired results. Mehdi Shah had earlier transferred 68 policemen from Gilgit to other parts of the region, following the arrest of some policemen allegedly involved in the killing of people due to sectarian enmity.

The chief minister said that in view of the substandard performance of the police, inter-district postings have been made, adding that the vacant posts will be filled by police from areas other than Gilgit-Baltistan. Shah said that the cabinet has been taken into confidence regarding the actions taken against the terrorists.

During the ongoing search operation by the police, 10 more people have been taken into custody, along with arms and ammunition. So far, the police have rounded up more than 30 people for possessing illegal weapons and committing other crimes.  Uniforms of security forces have also been recovered from their possession, which could have been used for criminal purposes.

Gilgit remained tense on Sunday even though no untoward incident was reported from any part of the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2010.

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