Public order: No leniency for sectarian elements, minister says

Channar says military, govt working in tandem

BAHAWALPUR:

Cooperatives Minister Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar said on Tuesday that those involved in fanning sectarianism and religious discord did not deserve any leniency.

The minister made the remarks at a meeting of the District Peace Committee at the DCO’s office. He said people from all walks of life including religious leaders, businessmen and rights activists should strive to maintain religious harmony, brotherhood and peace in Muharram. He said the government and the military had been working in tandem to eradicate terrorism and establish peace. The minister said the state would effectively deal with elements involved in fanning sectarianism, religious hatred and religious extremism.

Channar said Muharram signified the importance of unity, tolerance and sacrifice. He said religious leaders should play an active role in maintaining peace and eradicating terrorism. The minister said the federal and provincial governments and the local authorities were ready to foil any terrorism threat. He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was convinced about the utility of taking extraordinary steps and ensuring their effective implementation. He said this should not be construed as imposing a restriction on any sect as measures were being taken to guarantee public safety.  Channar said Muharram proceedings should be held on schedule.

Industries and Commerce Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq said the military operation against terrorists in North Waziristan had helped eradicate terrorism. He said the government would go to great lengths to eradicate terrorism. The minister said the martyrdom of Shuja Khanzada would not go in vain and anti-state elements would be exterminated. Shafiq said the chief minister had taken steps to secure citizens’ lives. The minister said the law was the same for everyone. He said all MPAs had been working around-the-clock to establish peace. Shafiq said the arrangements made in this regard were satisfactory.

Earlier, DCO Muhammad Zafar Iqbal briefed the ministers on Muharram arrangements. He said district authorities had already issued a code of conduct before the holy month to promote religious harmony and maintain peace. Zafar said 38 spots across the district had been declared sensitive. He said 85 religious leaders involved in delivering provocative addresses had been banned from making speeches in public.

He said control rooms had been established on the district and tehsil levels. Zafar said the uninterrupted provision of power would be ensured between 6pm to 12am. He said pillion riding, standing on rooftops, assemblies of over five people and display of arms would be prohibited under Section 144 on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

DPO Tariq Elahi Mastoi said a code of conduct for Muharram had been issued. He said the effective implementation of the code would be ensured. The DPO said police would remain on high alert and effectively discharge their duty. He said no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.

RPO inspects security arrangements

RPO Ehsan Sadiq inspected security arrangements at various imambargahs across the district.

Sadiq said ensuring the peaceful passage of Muharram was police’s chief priority. He said policing had become a more sensitive task in view of the prevailing situation across the nation and following the initiation of Zarb-i-Azb. Sadiq said officials should strive to the best of their abilities to ensure that the people were able to observe their religious obligations peacefully. He said officials should remain vigilant and keep an eye on suspects. The RPO said people should only be allowed to enter processions and gatherings after they had been frisked. He said walkthrough gates should be installed where appropriate. Sadiq said progress of gatherings and processions should be reviewed on CCTV cameras.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2015.