‘Sindh govt to give more power to peace committees to counter sectarianism’

SUKKUR: The Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Religious Affairs and Zakat and Ushr, Dr Abdul Qayyum Soomro, said on Thursday that the provincial government was going to give more power to the members of the district peace committees to counter the elements involved in spreading sectarianism and spoiling peaceful atmosphere in the province.

Dr Soomro expressed these views here while chairing a meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram. The members would also keep a close liaison with police and the district administration to maintain the law and order situation during Muharram, he added. 

On the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Dr Soomro said that he had been visiting all the divisional headquarters in the province and holding meetings with Ulema and religious scholars to maintain peace during Muharram. 

During the meeting, the adviser was briefed on security arrangements made for Muharram. He said that there would be no compromise on the implementation of the National Action Plan. He said that foolproof security arrangements must be ensured during Muharram. 

The Commissioner of Sukkur, Muhammad Abbas Baloch, the DIG of Sukkur, Feroz Ali Shah, Lieutenant-Colonel Ziaullah Nabi, other senior officials and the Ulema also attended the meeting.

Dr Soomro further said that the Sindh government and police had prepared a comprehensive security plan to keep a vigil on terrorists and anti-state elements in the province and for guarding the Azadars during Muharram. 

“All the law-enforcement agencies have been put on high alert to secure the procession routes as well as to provide foolproof security to the Imambargahs,” he added.

The Commissioner of Sukkur, Muhammad Abbas Baloch, said that implementation of the code of conduct must be ensured at any cost and warned that its violation would not be tolerated, adding that foolproof security arrangements should be ensured in all the districts before the start of the month of Muharram. 

The Ulema during the meeting stressed on the need of brotherhood and unity among all the schools of thought besides ensuring their full support to the government and district administrations for maintaining peace in the division.