January 08, 2009	Thursday	Muharram 10, 1430

KARACHI, Jan 7: Peace committees have been formed at the police station level throughout the province to maintain sectarian harmony and tranquility during the Ashura congregations, processions and other such public gatherings.

A notification regarding the setting up of the peace committees, comprising nazims of the union council concerned and representatives of the religious and political organisations, was issued on Wednesday.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, in his message on the eve of Ashura, said that “the greatest martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) teaches us a lesson of taking principled stand and rendering sacrifices for the right path.

“This day calls for a pledge from us that we must follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and get united against the enemies in and outside Pakistan who are conspiring against us.”

The martyrdom at Karbala, he said, was the biggest example of sacrifice which would remain a beacon of hope for principled personalities.

The governor said that the episode of Karbala was the glowing chapter of Islamic history which taught us the lesson of discipline, forbearance and sacrifice.

“This day also calls for having a review of our attitudes and actions. We should pledge that we will not hesitate to render any sacrifices for the supremacy of Islam to have a credible link with Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his associates,” the governor said.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, in his message, said that foolproof security arrangements had been taken to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion of Ashura.

He said that security around all Imambargahs, mosques and places of congregations had been beefed up and activities of miscreants and anti-state elements were being strictly monitored.

Personnel of the law-enforcement agencies and police were put on alert all over the province, including Karachi, he noted.

Mr Shah urged the masses to forge unity in their ranks in order to foil the nefarious designs of anti-state forces.

He said Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his associates laid down their lives at Karbala for the cause and supremacy of Islam.

“Their sacrifices have remained a beacon of hope for humanity to follow,” he said.

The chief minister said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has also laid down her life and never bowed down to the will of tyrant forces. She raised her voice for the cause of truth and continued to fight for the rights of people, he added.

He urged all schools of thought to show solidarity, unity, religious harmony and brotherhood on the occasion of Ashura.

In his message from London, Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said that “the Karbala tragedy gives us the lesson to struggle for upholding the truth and render sacrifices for it.”

He said that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions preferred to lay down their lives for the cause of Islam, truth and righteousness but did not submit to the oppressors.

He said the tragedy was an everlasting example of sacrifice, courage and tolerance for the guidance of upholders of truth.

He urged scholars of different schools of thought to maintain brotherhood, unity and harmony among themselves on the occasion of Ashura.—Agencies