KARACHI: Muslims throughout Pakistan will observe today [April 21] the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet [PBUH], who laid his life for the cause of justice, righteousness and all that Islam stands for. The day will begin with Majlis in the Imambaras and other public and private places, followed by Alam and Tazia processions and end with the Majlis-i-Sham-i-Ghariban in the evening.

In Karachi, the morning’s main Majlis will be held at Nishtar Park at 8 a.m. The procession will start at 9 a.m.The procession will pass through Bunder Road via Saddar and Preedy Street completing the five-mile journey in a little over nine hours. Stray Tazias from all over the City will join the procession at all points. The procession will reach Anjuman-Husnainian-Iranian, Kharadar, in the afternoon. The Majlis-i-Sham-i-Ghariban will be addressed by Allama Rashid Turabi there after sunset. Tazias will be buried in the sea at the Native Jetty Bridge. The bulk of them had started assembling at Nishtar Park since midnight. These included Tazias from the suburban townships.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Lahore,] the West Pakistan Government today [April 20] announced the revised Pension Rules and rates providing additional benefits to low-paid Government servants keeping in view the present day economic conditions. These Rules take effect from July 1, 1966.

The Rules were announced at a Press conference by the Minister for Finance and Information, Syed Ahmed Saeed Kirmani, here this morning. Giving out the benefits of these Rules, the Finance Minister said, about 14,00,000 non-Gazetted and 14,000 Gazetted Government officials would benefit from these Rules on retirement. The Minister said the provincial exchequer would have to shoulder an additional burden of Rs. 47,00,000 during the current financial year under these Rules. Of this, amount, roughly speaking Rs. 45,00,000 would go to Government employees in the pay range of less than Rs. 1,000 [per month] while the remaining Rs. 2,00,000 would go to employees drawing more than Rs. 1,000 as salary.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2017