Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, keeping in view the demand of Shia Ulema, has allowed the use of loudspeaker during majalis and processions.
He accorded this approval while presiding over a meeting of Shia Ulemas at the CM House. The meeting was attended among others by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah, Special Assistant to CM on Religious Affairs Dr Qayoom Soomro, IG Sindh Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Commissioner Shoaib Siddiqui, Special Assistants to CM Waqar Mehdi and Rashid Rabbani. The Shia Ulema who attended the meeting included Maulana Nazir Abbas, Maulana Baqar Zaidi, Maulana Furqan Hyder Abidi, Maulana Jaffer Subhani and others.
The Shia Ulema thanked the chief minister for holding a high-level meeting with them and said that the government had imposed ban on the use of loudspeaker during majalis and processions. This would be quite difficult for their ulema to address huge gatherings of mourners without using loudspeakers.
They said their leaders also guide the mourners during Muharram processions through loudspeakers, so again it would also be difficult for them.
The chief minister said that the ban on use of loudspeakers had been imposed under the national action plan. But “ in your case, I am allowing you to use loudspeakers but its usage must be made sagaciously, particularly in the light of code of conduct,” he said, adding that “strict action would be taken if hate speeches are delivered anywhere in the province,” he warned.
The Shia ulema told the chief minister that in the city the K-electric resort to load-shedding even during Muharramul Haram majalis and processions. On this, Commissioner Mr Shoaib Siddiqui told the chief minister that he had talked to the concerned officials of the KE and he had assured him that no load-shedding would made during Muharram, especially in the areas where majalis and processions were to be held. Apart from it, streets lights also had been maintained, he said.
The Ulema praising Dr Qayoom Soomro said that he was the first minister of religious affairs who had developed close coordination with them. “We appreciate his efforts and seriousness of the government to maintain sectarian harmony during Muharamul Haram,” they said.
The chief minister directed Minister Religious Affairs Dr Soomro to set up a complaint cell in his department so that people could register their complaints regarding violation of code of conduct and such other issues.
SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED
Sindh Senior Minister for Information and Education Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has said that educational institutions in Karachi will remain closed on the first day of Muharram-ul-Haram, while other departments would continue their routine departmental work. He said this in a statement issued on Wednesday on the occasion of first Muharramul Haram. The educational activities will remain closed in Karachi only, while other departments’ staff will ensure their presence on the same day, the statement added.
