LAHORE: Senior minister Aleem Khan has directed the officials concerned to ensure best possible arrangements and strict monitoring on Youm-i-Ashur processions besides providing maximum facilities to the mourners on routes.

Mr Khan along with law minister Basharat Raja on Thursday visited the control room at civil secretariat and deputy commissioner office, where there were briefed about the centralised system attached with Safe City Authority.

The senior minister said every official should remain vigilant till Muharram 10 midnight and perform duties with zeal and fervour.

He directed the local bodies’ authorities to ensure proper cleanliness arrangements at and around the routes of processions. He said different provincial ministers had been assigned duties in respective districts to keep an eye on the arrangements and the situation.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haque gave a presentation to the senior minister informing him about the arrangements as well as selected routes of processions in Shadman, Walled City, Model Town and other areas of city. He said all departments concerned were on board and arrangements completed to meet any situation on Muharram 10.

Buzdar: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says the Karbala tragedy teaches the Muslims a lesson of sacrifice, tolerance and forbearance.

Great sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his martyred companions in Karbala would highlight the golden principles of Islam till the Day of Judgment, he added.

In his message on Ashura, Mr Buzdar said the battle between vice and virtue in Karbala had taught the Muslims to wage a war against the forces of tyranny and barbarism.

“Imam Hussain (AS) and his faithful companions raised the flag of truth with their immortal sacrifices. They also taught the Muslims by sacrificing their lives to not to bow before any oppression.”

Mr Buzdar added that Imam Hussain (AS) have given the immortal sacrifice for supremacy of humanity and Islamic teachings. He and his companions had written a glorious chapter in the history of Islam and their sacrifices in Karbala were the beacon of light for all of us, the CM added.

“The sacrifices of martyrs of Karbala had given courage to the whole humanity to stand firmly against the tyranny. He said Pakistan could be made an abode of peace by following the philosophy of the great sacrifices of martyrs of Karbala and it was imperative to follow the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) for establishing a peaceful society.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018