ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan held an emergency meeting of security and intelligence officials on Saturday to review the law and order situation and asked them to “remain alert and deployed” in Rawalpindi, as well as other sensitive places, to counter any attempt to stir sectarian trouble.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, the minister apologised to the nation for the inconvenience caused by suspension of cellphone service on the ninth and tenth of Muharram.

Although the service was restored in the rest of the country, it remained shut in Rawalpindi. According to sources, authorities have decided to keep the service in Rawalpindi suspended for an indefinite period.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and his two colleagues also attended the meeting. The chief secretary, the inspector general of police and senior officials of intelligence agencies and Rawalpindi administration were among others who were present.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and property in Rawalpindi on the Ashura day, the minister asked the administration to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.

He also ordered a broad, transparent inquiry to identify the perpetrators and conspirators planning to disturb sectarian harmony.

The meeting deliberated upon relaxing curfew in Rawalpindi and urged the law-enforcement agencies to remain alert and deployed.

It also called upon ulema from all sects to play a positive role for peace and harmony.

The Rawalpindi administration was asked to evaluate the losses for compensation.

The participants appealed for calm and sought people’s cooperation in identifying the culprits.

In his statement, the minister praised the law-enforcement agencies for their untiring efforts to maintain peace and ensure security throughout the country during Muharram processions.

He said timely action of the agencies in Islamabad, Karachi, Kot Addu, Chaman and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had averted unfortunate incidents.

He said if the nation, religious scholars, media and law-enforcement agencies continued showing the same unity, the government would soon be able to safeguard the lives and property of people.

MAULANA FAZL: The interior minister also talked to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman by telephone and assured him that the government would take all possible measures to protect the lives and property of people.

JUI-F spokesman Jan Achakzai told Dawn that the Maulana had asked Chaudhry Nisar to immediately announce the names of the members of a judicial commission the government had announced for holding an inquiry into the Raja Bazaar incident.

Maulana Fazl alleged that the administration had not intervened in time and fire brigade vehicles had not been sent, resulting in deaths and losses.