PESHAWAR, Feb 17: The NWFP Inspector General of Police, Mohammad Raffat Pasha, has said that peace during Muharram would be maintained at all costs and saboteurs and terrorists would be curbed effectively.
He was speaking at a special meeting in connection with peaceful observance of Muharram in Kohat region at police officers' club, Kohat on Wednesday. Leaders of both Sunni and Shia communities, elected representatives, office-bearers of social organisations, local elite, traders, police officers of Kohat and Hangu attended the meeting.
The IGP said that dual responsibilities devolve on each of us for maintaining unity, brotherhood, peace and tranquillity during Muharram and each one of us have to play its due role.
The IGP said that NWFP police was taking no risk and concrete steps had been taken for rumour mongers and miscreants. The life, honour and property of people would be ensured at all Cost, he added.
District Nazim Kohat, Malik Asad Khan, said that both communities in Kohat were enjoying exemplary brotherhood relations and no effort could create any rift in their ranks.
He reminded that peace-loving people had always extended help and cooperation to the police and assured that this spirit would prevail in future also. He also held in high esteem the performance of NWFP police despite limited resources.
Chairman of public safety commission Habib-ur-Rehman said that the people of Kohat did not only believe in peace and tranquillity but they would demonstrate this spirit during Muharram.
Maulana Raham Din pointed out that all Muslims irrespective of their beliefs were against the tyranny and vowed that every sacrifice would be offered for unity of Ummah.
Muharram Ali Shah of Hangu district termed the security arrangements taken by police unprecedented and assured full cooperation in this regard. Sher Ahmad Bangash and Israr Shinwari on behalf of traders community also extended their full support for maintenance of peace during Muharram.
Mufti Din Azhar of Hangu and Maulana Aziz-ur-Rehman said that Pakistan came into being due to joint struggle of both communities and its solidarity and prosperity depended on their unity.
They pointed out that both sects would live and die together and would strive for their unity not only in Hangu and Kohat but in the whole country. Later on, the IGP presided over a separate meeting of Kohat region police officers in which necessary instructions were issued for further tightening security arrangements.
