January 10, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 30, 1428

KARACHI, Jan 9: Sindh (caretaker) Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Abdul Qadir Halepota has ordered foolproof security measures for the protection of religious shrines across the province, especially in Karachi and Hyderabad, during the month of Muharram.

During his meeting with a delegation of ulema at the CM’s House on Wednesday, he issued directives to police to make stringent security arrangements at and around mosques, Imambargahs and other places of worship to ensure safety of people’s life and property.

He warned that negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of any official would not be tolerated.

The delegation comprised Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Allama Mohammad Arshad Zahid, Syed Shah Turabul Haq Quadri, Maulana Kaukab Noorani Okarvi, Maulana Asghar Dars, Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Quadri Attari, Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Haji Hanif Tayyeb, Maulana Siddique Rathore and others.

The chief minister exchanged views with the ulema on various issues relating to the maintenance of peace and sectarian harmony during Muharram.

He referred to the external and internal threats to the Ummah and the Pakistani nation, and said ulema were under the religious obligation to preach peace and brotherhood in order to maintain harmony among followers of all schools of thought.

He assured them that the administration and police would remain alert and in constant touch with the leaders of all sects in this regard.

He observed that miscreants were out to disturb peace and harmony and had been using different tactics to trigger violence. Their aim was to weaken the Ummah and divide the nation on sectarian and other grounds, he added. He appealed to the ulema to keep a watch on such elements and play their due role in foiling the nefarious designs of anti-Muslim and anti-state elements.

He also appealed to the press, particular the electronic media, to avoid airing the news or programmes that could hurt sentiments of the followers of any sect.