KARACHI: Governor says extra vigilance ensured peace
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Jan 31: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said despite fears that there might be attempts by anti-state elements to create a law and order situation, Ashura had passed peacefully thanks to the vigilance of law enforcement agencies and cooperation of ulema and the people. However, he said the threat persists and the government would maintain its vigilance.
The governor made these remarks while addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the Durbar Hall of Governor House. He thanked the people and ulema for ensuring religious harmony, tolerance and unity. He said the personnel of law enforcement agencies had worked extra hard to ensure peace. He appealed to the people to maintain harmony and unity in their ranks and ensure no one succeeds in inciting sectarian sentiments.
In reply to a question he said the few persons detained for interrogation were suspected of having links to either some Jehadi outfits or banned organisations. However, as the investigation was in its initial stage, nothing could be ascertained about their motives. The Press will be briefed when more information is available, he added.
Dr Ibad said the reports of bomb at imambargahs or other busy centres were taken very seriously by the concerned authorities and all precautionary measures taken to check the threat.
Regarding the three suicide bombers in four days upcountry, he said terrorism was a global phenomenon. At home the authorities had taken extra measure to ensure security for the large processions and gatherings during Moharrum and Ashura Day in particular.
He lauded the role of Ulema and the Press for its positive coverage. He also thanked Wapda, Kesc, Kwsb, Hesco and the district governments for their good performance.
He said the role of peace committees, which were formed in 2004 with the administration’s close coordination in various mosques and imambargahs in different areas had also played a role in maintaining peace. Regarding the installation of cameras at sensitive places, he said the cameras events did not belong to police force but were hired from the private sector for the purpose.
When a reporter asked if the suicide attacks were an expression of the peoples’ no-confidence in the government, he said suicide attackers had no link with the people, besides, the way the people had extended cooperation to the government was proof that people had full faith in the government.
Senior officials of the Sindh government were present during the governor’s press conference.
CHIEF MINISTER: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that peace prevailed across Sindh during Yaum-i-Ashur owing to the religious harmony, tolerance and unity demonstrated by followers of all sects.
In a statement issued here on Monday, he observed that barring a minor incident in Shikarpur, no untoward incident was reported from any area of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana and Khairpur. He also noted that the situation in Shikarpur was brought under control by the local administration which moved swiftly and took timely action.
Because of the successful strategy adopted by the provincial government, peace prevailed across Sindh, he remarked, and thanked followers of all sects for demonstrating harmony, tolerance and unity. He particularly appreciated the cooperation extended to the government by mourners, and described it as “exemplary and helpful in maintaining law and order.”
The chief minister also lauded the professional skills demonstrated by the police, rangers and media, and hoped that the unity and harmony witnessed on the Ashura day would sustain and help defeat the anti-Islam and anti-state elements.
NAZIM: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has observed that the Yaum-i-Ashur was observed in the city peacefully due to a foolproof planning by the city government and its effective liaison with the law enforcement agencies, including the traffic police.
Mr Kamal, who had returned home on Tuesday morning after his week-long foreign visit, monitored the arrangements made for the Yaum-i-Ashur processions, and visited various areas for the purpose. Soon after his arrival at the city airport, he drove straight to the place where mourners’ procession had reached while on their way to the culminating point, a spokesman for the city government said.
The city nazim also visited the camps set up by the CDGK to facilitate processions and talked to the representatives of various participating organisations.
The CDGK officials assigned different duties on the occasion told him that the city government had set up three main emergency camps, one each at Numaish roundabout, Radio Pakistan and Bolton Market, where emergency facilities like fire-brigade, ambulance and medicines and paramedics, etc. were available.
Later, the city nazim sat in his office and remained in touch with all town nazims about the situation in their respective areas.
The spokesman said that the Emergency Centre and the toll-free number for complaints at the Nazim’s Secretariat which were set up on the directives of the city nazim, besides the ‘Helpline 134’, functioned round-the-clock.
ALTAF: MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday lauded his party workers belonging to Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir for making best efforts towards promotion of sectarian harmony and for setting up medical camps and sabeels for the participants of Ashura processions.
In a statement faxed from London, he pointed out that MQM this year set up medical camps for mourners not only in Sindh, but also in major cities and far-flung areas of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
In the NWFP and Balochistan, MQM workers visited Imambargahs and mosques, took part in Ashura processions worked actively towards promotion of sectarian harmony.
He impressed upon all party workers to continue with their commendable service to the humanity without any discrimination and strive hard for promoting sectarian harmony.
