March 9, 2003	Sunday	Muharram 5, 1424

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MANSEHRA, March 8: The SSP Mansehra, Syed Ahsan Mahboob, has claimed law and order situation in the district is satisfactory. He however stated that anyone found disturbing the peace in Muharram would be taken to task.

He was speaking at a meeting held to review the security arrangements for Muharram on Saturday.

Syed Turab Shah said the solidarity of the ulema belonging to the alliance of six religious parties should be emulated by all Muslims in Muharram to create an atmosphere of sectarian harmony. The Ashura processions on the 10th of Muharram, in Mansehra, should be led by the ulema.

The suggestions of the Shia leader could not, however, be materialised because of the Ulema’s opposition. The Ulema, however, insisted that the agreement of 1991 be implemented in its true spirit and the Ashura procession not be allowed beyond its prescribed route since 1991.

The Ulema said if the terms of the 1991 agreement were violated, they would not be responsible for any untoward incident. They also stressed the point that entry of outsiders in Mansehra should be banned during Muharram for the sake of peace. Nevertheless, at the end, the representatives of both sects assured the participants of the meeting that they would cooperate fully in maintaining peace on the 10th of Muharram.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the officiating District Nazim, Jehangir Nasim Khan, has imposed section 144 CrPc for a period of ten days. It bans the display, carrying, brandishing and movement of fire arms and weapons. The police officials on duty would however be exempted from the operation of this order.

Those who attended the meeting included PML(Q) MNA, Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, JUI(F) senator-elect Maulana Syed Hidayatullah Shah, officiating District Nazim Jehangir Naseem Khan, Tehsil Nazim Mohammad Farooq Khan, District Khateeb Qazi Khalil Ahmad, MMA district chief Maulana Rafiqur Rehman, veteran Muslim League leader Mufti Mohammad Idrees, Shia community’s representative and Nazim of union council Pairan Syed Turab Shah, besides civil and military officials.