04 March 2004	Thursday	12 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, March 3: The law enforcement agencies hauled up over 100 anti-social elements during the first 10 days of Muharram to pre-empt sabotage activities and after due inquires, which are under way, they would be put on trial.

During initial investigations, it was revealed that the conspiracies of anti-state elements including suicide attacks were foiled and their network was broken with the timely and active cooperation of citizens.

This was stated at a meeting of Ulema and authorities concerned on Thursday. The meetiong was held to review law and order situation and further increase security measures in the wake of Quetta tragedy.

The meeting, which was summoned by Chief Secretary Dr Mutawwakil Kazi, held in two sessions with Ulema, Mashaikh and Zakireen of both schools of thought Shia and Sunni separately.

The chief secretary stressed the need for maintaining mutual understanding and religious solidarity among all sections of society during Muharram. He appreciated the cooperation of Ulema of both schools of thought and all law enforcement personnel for their cooperation and performing special services of vigilance for maintaining peace, particularly on Ashura in Karachi.

Dr Kazi appealed to Ulema and Zakireen to practice the golden principles of Islamic unity, national cohesion and fraternity, as the maintenance of peace and security was prerequisite to put the country and the nation on the road to progress and prosperity.

He expressed satisfaction that not only the government and its administration, but also Ulema, Mashaikh and Zakireen were keen to work for peace and progress.

The chief secretary said that the government of Sindh was grieved over the Quetta tragedy and there was need to ensure that such incidents should not reoccur, which was only possible if all Ulema should put behind all differences and promote spirit of fraternity.

The inspector-general of police, Syed Kamal Shah, and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Anwar Haider called on all sections of society to promote unity, cohesion and cooperation.

The meeting was informed that provocative speeches recorded during Muharrum were not specific to a particular section of society. The authorities had also taken some pamphlets in possession before their distribution.

At the meeting, some of the Ulema complained about certain objectionable articles published in a section of press. On their complaint, the chief secretary directed the information secretary and the information adviser to take up the matter with the management of the respective newspapers.

Ulema of both schools of thought, Zakireen, office-bearers of Jafria Alliance, and MMA leaders demanded that those responsible for Quetta tragedy should immediately be arrested and given exemplary punishment.

Among others who attended the meeting were CCPO Asad Ashraf Malik and DIG Tariq Jameel, Abbas Kumeli, Mirza Yusuf Hussain, Salman Mujtaba, Furqan Haider Abidi, Hasan Turabi, Qanber Naqvi, Zamin Abbas, Syed Askari Zaidi, Syed Raees Naqvi, Hafiz Muhammad Taqi, Hanif Tayyeb, Turabul Haq Qaderi, Qari Muhammad Usman, Razi Khan, Siddique Rathore, Naseem Ahmad Siddiqui, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Mufti Muhammad Naeem, Qari Iqbal.