RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government on Monday urged religious scholars of all sects to play their role to maintain peace during Muharram and promote brotherhood by tolerating others’ views.

This was discussed in a meeting of the Divisional Peace Committee chaired by Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha. Punjab Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Care Dr Jamal Nasir was the special guest.

The meeting held at the Commissioner’s Office was attended by district administration officials, city police officer Rawalpindi, Traders’ Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, District Khatib Iqbal Rizvi and a large number of scholars from all schools of thought.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Chattha said it was not possible to maintain law and order without the cooperation of religious scholars.

“A series of meetings with scholars is going on across the division to improve mutual relations,” he said.

Mr Chattha said regarding the complaints of spreading religious hatred on social media, monitoring cells have been established at the tehsil level under which the controversial data would be forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further action against such miscreants.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram Ali said the implementation of the Muharram security plan would be ensured with the cooperation of scholars. Special security will be provided to all mosques and Imambargahs during Muharram.

All scholars assured the administration and police of full cooperation and said zero-tolerance policy would be followed.

They further said Islam taught peace and harmony so that law and order prevailed in the country.

Those who make efforts to spread religious hatred are not only enemies of the country, but also Islam, the scholars said.

Dr Jamil Nasir said scholars had always played a key role in the establishment of peace and order and society direly needed such scholars.

He said cooperation of scholars, administration and police was indispensable for promoting religious harmony and discouraging communal hatred.

He was of the view that this time also scholars of all schools of thought had assured the authorities of implementing code of conduct in Muharram.

However, he added that every citizen should keep a close eye on the content on social media because the course of history was evident that Rawalpindi was a sensitive city when it came to religious hatred and sectarianism. He urged the citizens to identify such evil elements while playing their social role and not fall prey to their propaganda.

He said extremist groups were always in search of opportunities to create chaos especially in Muharram.

Taxila

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liauqat Ali Chattha on Monday underlined the need for making joint efforts to maintain peace and harmony during Muharram.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to take security and peace measures during the holy month at deputy commissioner’s office Attock.

Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali Shah, Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza, District Police Officer Attock Dr Ghiyas Gul Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Adnan Anjum Raja were among the participants of the meeting.

The participants were informed that during the Muharram 798 Majalis and 145 Zuljinnah processions would be taken out throughout the Attock district and specifically on the day of Ashura 49 procession, 78 Majalis and Sham-i-Ghareeban would be held in 35 imambargahs throughout the district.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Liauqat Ali Chattha assured that with the support of the district administration foolproof security would be provided to congregations and processions, roads patchwork would be completed, encroachments would be removed, lights would be installed and parking arrangements would be made.

The statement said electrocution due to monsoon, sewerage and other issues would be addressed on a priority basis.

He said that regular meetings are being held with the peace committee members, procession organisers and license holders. He said the administration was using all resources to ensure effective arrangements in connection with Muharram and all the relevant departments were performing their duties efficiently.

The commissioner said that the inimical forces always wanted to exploit the situation, but they would never be successful in their nefarious goals.

Speaking on this occasion, deputy commissioner Rao Atif Raza said that work on removal of encroachments along with repair and maintenance is in progress on all roads that are a part of procession routes, he said, adding officials from the district administration, health, Wapda and other departments would accompany all processions.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023