Shia leaders ask for action against targeted killings

Routes of procession cordoned off by police and Rangers.

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: The procession for Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) Chehlum reached its destination peacefully at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian in Kharadar on Thursday evening in Karachi.   

The procession started from Nishtar Park in the afternoon with mourners holding emblems and recalling the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala.

Noted religious scholar Allama Talib Jauhri addressed the gathering at Nishtar Park, and along with remembering the Karbala tragedy, he criticised the target killings of Shias in the city and the policies of the government. He praised the religious laws but objected to the legal system of the country. “The law of the country only sees what it wants to see - it doesn’t see the terrorism and killings,” said Allama Jauhri.

Following the address, participants offered their Zuhrain prayers on MA Jinnah Road, led by Allama Muhammad Hussain Raisi.

“People behind the target killings of members of the Shia community are openly roaming in the country while the law enforcement agencies act as silent spectators,” said the president of the Imamia Student Organization Pakistan, Athar Imran. He asked the government to provide protection to the mourners and demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the killings.



A protest was also held outside Imambargah Ali Raza against the target killings and blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) published in a French newspaper.

Tight security

The route of the procession was completely sealed off by the Sindh police with containers placed at all openings of the MA Jinnah Road. Police was also monitoring the procession through cameras fixed on the routes and through camera mounted on vehicles.

“We asked the Karachi Electric Supply Company and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to cooperate as the procession was expected to end late,” said Sindh police AIG Iqbal Mehmood. Bomb Disposal Squad and snipers were kept on standby during the march.

Mourning in Hyderabad

The main procession for the Chehlum began at Qadam Gah Maula Ali at around 3:30pm and moved through Station Road, Lajpat Road, Risala Road, Bohri Bazaar, and Raheem Shopping Centre before ending at Karbala Dadan Shah for Maghrib prayers. In addition to Rangers, approximately 1,200 policemen, 200 commandos, and 250 volunteers provided security over the 2 kilometre-long route. Roads were cordoned off for traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2013.