LAHORE, March 10: Maintaining the sanctity of Muharram was the responsibility of every individual and group, including those in the ARD, Governor Khalid Maqbool said on Sunday.

“The occasion should be allowed to pass in a peaceful manner,” he told reporters who wanted to know whether the government would allow the ARD to hold demonstrations on March 23, the 9th Muharram.

The governor was speaking to newsmen after attending the SOS Children mela at the Governor’s House.

He said the decision whether to allow the ARD hold demonstrations would be taken at an appropriate time. “But the government wanted the occasion passed in a peaceful manner. Everyone must keep in mind the sensitivity of the occasion and realize that the time is not suitable for protests.”

Earlier, speaking to the SOS Village children and students of other Lahore schools, the governor said he had been impressed by the people’s spirit to help the needy and the downtrodden during his visits to various places in the province.

Philanthropists were running hundreds of hospitals, clinics and orphanages everywhere in the province to help the poor and the hapless and “this is a great charity work,” he said.

He said the people could still provide a lot of help to the weaker sections in the society and the government would extend more support to the SOS children.— Staff Reporter