RAWALPINDI: Punjab Minister for Cooperative and Public Prosecutions Mohammad Basharat Raja on Monday urged religious scholars help the administration expose miscreants and bring them to justice.

He was visiting commissioner office to review security arrangements for Ashura.

He asked them to keep a close eye on those who use social media for their nefarious purposes and spoil the atmosphere of religious harmony, discourage such elements and ban them.

He said that those who spread religious hatred on social media would be dealt with iron hands.

He said a comprehensive plan had been put in place to provide security to mourning processions on Ashura.

He also visited the control room set up at Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation to monitor the route of Ashura processions through 300 Close Circuit TV (CCTV) Cameras.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Noorul Amin Mengal, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq, City Police Officer Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari and administrative and police officers of the district were also present on the occasion.

The provincial minister said religious scholars should play their role in creating religious harmony not only during Muharram but also throughout the year.

He said that mischievous elements created discord for their nefarious purposes and they will be dealt with iron hands. He said that religious tolerance should be maintained not only during Muharram, but the nefarious designs of miscreants should be thwarted and if any misunderstanding arises, it should be resolved at the local level.

He said the administration should ensure uninterrupted electricity supply on Ashura and maintain the city neat and clean .

Commissioner Rawalpindi Noorul Amin Mengal said that the cooperation of Ulema in Rawalpindi was commendable and the environment would be maintained for which the administration would extend all possible cooperation.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022