PESHAWAR, Feb 4: The NWFP Muharram Committee and Azadari Cell of the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Fiqha Jafaria Pakistan have presented a 14-point charter of demands and code of ethics.

The demands include honouring the May 1985 agreement between the Shia community and the then government for safe and peaceful mourning processions and other rituals during Muharram across the country.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Saturday, provincial convener of Azadari Cell Iqbal Javid Haider said that Quaid Millat-i-Jafaria Pakistan Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Al Mosvi had released 14-points code of ethics for safe and peaceful Azadari processions and Majalis during Muharram, if followed there would be no unrest, disorder or law and order situation in the country.

He said that the government should act on the May 21, 1985 agreement regarding mourning processions in the country while there should be a separate cell ‘Muharram Azadari Cell’ in the religious affairs department both at federal and provincial levels, to be working till 8th Rabiul Awal.

He said strict security measures should be adopted at Majalis Aza and mourning procession prior to the rituals and if there was unpleasant situation then the procession should not be stopped or dispersed but it should be helped reach the destination safe and secure.

The peace-loving people, detained in jails, should be released on oath to take part in Majalis and Azadari events, while the executives and law-enforcement agencies should avoid causing unnecessary unrest and fear amongst the people, he said adding that there should be proper arrangements for light and cleanliness on roads and streets from where processions pass.

Sectarianism should be discouraged and proper steps should be taken against terrorism and the Anti-Terrorist Act should be implemented. If any untoward incident happened then the local administration and TNFJ’s local Muharram Committee should resolve it, otherwise the central Muharram committee of the TNFJ should be approached.

The leaders and Banyan of Majalis should work on self-help basis and to have vigilance on anti-state, anti-religion forces while the government and media should expedite campaign against such elements during Muharram.

All the religious scholars and leaders should propagate their respective ideologies and faith in a positive manner and sectarianism should not be encouraged through any means, while all political leaders and politicians should shun their worldly activities during Muharram.

Those people should be inducted in a peace committee who were not involved or affiliated with any banned organisation. Banyan Majalis (leaders) should not only act upon the code of ethics themselves but also compel others to follow the rules.