RAWALPINDI: Ulema belonging to different schools of thought on Monday assured the Punjab government that they will play their role in promoting harmony and maintaining peace in Muharram.

An inter-Muslim harmony conference was held in Rawalpindi with Maulana Mufti Dr Ramzan Sialvi, Khateeb of Data Darbar Mosque Lahore, participating as a special guest. He emphasised the importance of unity and consensus among all sects of Islam.

The conference was attended by Commissioner Rawalpindi Aamer Khattak, RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, deputy commissioners of other districts within the Rawalpindi division and senior police officers. Members of the Divisional Peace Committee also participated.

The aim of the conference was to promote peace, unity among Muslims and interfaith harmony during Muharram.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Sialvi said the conference was organised on the instructions of the Punjab government. “Unity and consensus are the need of the hour and the efforts of the chief minister in this regard are commendable,” he said.

He added that the objective of the conference was to ensure law and order during Muharram. “Muharram teaches us the values of selflessness and sacrifice. Ulema are advocates of inter-Muslim unity and have always played a constructive role in maintaining law and order,” he said.

Divisional officials said security arrangements will be ensured in coordination with peace committees, the district administration and security agencies. They said peace and order will be maintained through the cooperation of all stakeholders and citizens.

Strict security arrangements will be implemented along procession routes and social media monitoring is being carried out. Religious scholars have consistently promoted religious tolerance and are urged, once again, to foster an atmosphere of brotherhood during Muharram, they added.

RPO Sarfraz Alpa stated that complete screening and sweeping of procession routes and venues will be conducted. Police officers and personnel will be deployed on designated routes across the region.

Members of the Divisional Peace Committee and religious scholars reiterated their support for the administration in efforts to promote peace. The committee members expressed satisfaction with the security and administrative measures and pledged to cooperate fully to promote interfaith respect and eliminate sectarianism.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Khattak while presiding over a review meeting on Muharram arrangements alongside the RPO said the purpose of regular meetings with stakeholders was to acknowledge their critical role in maintaining law and order. He directed administrative officers to incorporate suggestions from the organisers of Majalis and processions. He said arrangements must be finalised with input from event organisers.

The deputy commissioners were instructed to personally oversee preparations and address any shortcomings based on lessons from the previous year. He directed that control rooms be established and activated in all districts.

Each department head is responsible for ensuring their designated focal person is present in the control room.

He also instructed that private hospitals be placed on alert and private ambulances be kept on standby in addition to arrangements at government hospitals.

The commissioner announced that on the special instructions of the chief minister, sabeel (free water distribution stations) would be set up along the procession routes. He also ordered the immediate repair of any electrical or other wiring along the routes, completion of road patchwork and spraying for dengue control. Solid Waste Management teams have already been mobilised for route cleanliness. The commissioner directed that personnel from Civil Defence, municipal corporations, Wapda, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments must accompany all processions.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2025