Protect Ashura gatherings at all costs, says Shahbaz

Mobile phone service to be suspended on Muharram 10

RAHIM YAR KHAN/ FAISALABAD/ LAHORE:

A meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday decided that all processions on Ashura would reach their destinations before sunset.

Requesting anonymity, an official who was present at the meeting told The Express Tribune that snipers would be posted on rooftops along the routes of mourning processions.



“The CM directed the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order to ensure that only those having licences are allowed to hold majalis at public places. The chief minister also directed law enforcement agencies to carry out intelligence-based search operations along the routes of the processions,” the official said.

Separately, a press statement issued by the DGPR about the meeting stated that there would be a ban on pillion riding on Muharram 9 and 10 all over the province. “The meeting also decided to suspend mobile phone service in the province from 8am to 10pm on Muharram 10,” the statement said.

“Law and order is the prime responsibility of the government. No effort should be spared for the protection of life and property during Muharram,” he said.



The chief minister said that action should be taken against those delivering provocative speeches or involved in wall-chalking and publication and distribution of hate material.

Rahim Yar Khan

Rahim Yar Khan DCO Capt (retd) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal visited Sadiqabad on Wednesday to review security arrangements for Muharram processions.

Assistant Commissioner Shakeel Bhatti and DSP Syed Ali Raza Shah briefed the DCO about the arrangements.



They said that encroachments had been removed from the routes of mourning processions.

Rahim Yar Khan DPO Tariq Elahi Mastoi said that 15 processions and 52 gatherings would be held in the district during Ashura. He said that fool proof security arrangements had been made to protect them.

Multan

Several organisers of mourning processions and majalis have received death threats from militant outfits.

A police official, requesting anonymity, said that 15 organisers of mourning processions and majalis living in southern Punjab had complained of receiving death threats from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Asghar Naqvi, the Licence Holders’ Association of Mourning Processions from South Punjab president, said that many families who had received death threats had not informed police about it.

Mahar Qasim Ali, a resident of Khanewal district, said that he had received a threatening letter a month ago. “I informed police about it, but they have done nothing. They have not even registered an FIR,” he said.

Faisalabad

Population Welfare Secretary Altaf Aizad and Traffic DIG Rana Muhammad Iqbal have been deputed at Faisalabad for monitoring the Muharram arrangements. They held a meeting at the DCO’s Office on Wednesday. DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, medical superintendents of public hospitals, tehsil municipal officers and Rescue 1122 officials were also present.

Mengal briefed the meeting about arrangements made to protect Muharram gatherings.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2015.