The city administration has identified the metropolis' most vulnerable places in order to deploy contingents of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to avoid untoward incidents during Muharram.
This was disclosed during a meeting held at the commissioner's office on Friday to formalise a code of conduct for interfaith harmony for the different communities within the city.
Sindh AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebo highlighted 10 police jurisdictions, including Orangi Town, Landhi and Korangi, as sensitive areas where sectarian-based incidents of target killing escalate during Muharram. "We will deploy special forces in these areas to overcome the menace of target killing," he promised. He added that besides providing "fool-proof" security to religious congregations and processions, LEAs would also establish peace committees, in which they would team up with each area's clergy to set out comprehensive peace strategies.
Presiding over the meeting, Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said that the city administration must, with the help of the LEAs, erase provocative chalkings from walls across the city.
"The role of the ulema is most important," he said. "They should promote interfaith harmony in their sermons instead of making inflammatory speeches." He stressed the need to ensure peace during Muharram, as in the previous year.
Siddiqui's emphasis on the vital part played by the ulema's sermons was echoed by Shia scholar Allama Abbas Kumaili, who said that there was no conflict between Shias and Sunnis except for that created by external forces.
Representatives of K-Electric, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and other civic bodies also committed themselves to provide an uninterrupted supply of power and water to religious places and to patch up various roads and streets. The meeting was also attended by deputy commissioners of all six districts, representatives of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and religious scholars.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2014.
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