January 15, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 24, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has prepared a code of ethics to seek cooperation of all Muslim schools of thought for maintenance of peace in the capital during the holy month of Muharram.

“The code has been prepared in consultation with ulema of different sects,” Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Muhammad Ali told Dawn on Sunday.

The code was endorsed by ulema at a meeting held on Saturday. It was attended by the ulema of Shia, Deobandi and Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat sects.

The ulema assured the district administration of their cooperation for maintenance of peace and harmony in Islamabad during the holy month. The meeting decided to take a stern action against the violators of the code.

Use of loudspeakers, delivering of hate speeches and publication and sale of hate literature has been banned in Islamabad under the code, the official said.

Under the code, all mourning processions would be taken out on the set routes and timings would be observed strictly. Standing on the rooftops of all the houses falling in the routes of Azadari processions would be strictly banned.

The Ulema of Shia school of thought have been asked to seek permission of the district administration before taking out processions for getting security cover.

The meeting was informed that fool-proof security arrangements had been made in the federal capital to avoid any untoward incident during the holy month.

The ulema of different sects were asked to play their role in promotion of religious tolerance and sectarian harmony in the society. Police have been directed to remain extra vigilant during the whole month to avoid any untoward incident.

ONLINE ADDS: All the four provincial governments and Islamabad administration have sent their security plans to the federal government for maintenance of law and order during Muharram.

Sources told Online Sunday that the federal government had sought a security plan from the provincial governments and Islamabad administration for maintenance of peace during Muharram.

The provinces were also directed to provide the details of the funds required to meet their needs in terms of security plan.

Sources disclosed that home secretaries of the four provinces and IG Islamabad had informed the interior ministry about their security plans, details of sensitive cities and funds required by them.

In the light of their reports 18 cities have been declared sensitive. They are Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Multan, Faisalabad, Jhang, Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Quetta, Karachi, Larkana, Hyderabad, Dera Bugti, Hungu and Gilgit.

Army will remain alert to assist the civil administration in these cities. It has also been decided to cancel the leaves of police and security agencies personnel.