Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday held a meeting with prominent Shia scholars at the CM House to review arrangements for the upcoming religious occasions of Youm-e-Ali, Youm-e-Quds and Jumat-ul-Vida and discuss the prevailing regional situation.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, Senator Waqar Mehdi, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho.
Among the scholars present were Allama Syed Shahanshah Naqvi, Allama Nisar Ahmad Qalandri, Allama Syed Baqar Hussain Zaidi and Syed Shabar Raza. The meeting began with prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyred Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and other martyrs.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding administrative and security arrangements for Youm-e-Ali, Youm-e-Quds and Jumat-ul-Vida. The participants also exchanged views on guiding the public in light of the situation that has emerged following the recent attacks on Iran.
The CM said that the country was currently facing a war-like situation, and therefore the nation must demonstrate unity, brotherhood and patience. He emphasised that if the public were provided proper guidance about the prevailing circumstances, unnecessary issues could be avoided.
Shah said maintaining peace and law and order in the city was the government’s responsibility. He added that consultations with religious scholars were aimed at ensuring harmony and strengthening efforts to maintain peace.
The meeting decided to further enhance security and administrative arrangements for the upcoming important religious days. The CM assured the religious scholars that the Sindh government was making the best possible security arrangements and urged them to cooperate with the government.
The participants agreed to strengthen coordination between the Sindh government and religious scholars. The CM also appealed to the public to act responsibly and help maintain peace and order. The meeting concluded with a consensus that the Sindh government and religious scholars would work together to promote peace, brotherhood and religious harmony across the province.
Women’s rally
A protest march was held in Karachi on Friday in the auspices of the Dukhtaran-e-Rehbar-e-Moazzam, in which a large number of women and children marched from Khorasan to Imambargah Ali Raza on MA Jinnah Road.
Participants of the rally strongly protested against the United States and Israel, chanting slogans such as ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’. Demonstrators carried placards and banners displaying images of martyred supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, along with slogans condemning aggression against Iran and the silence of the international community.
The protesters paid tribute to those killed on March 1, praising their sacrifices and vowing to continue their mission. Speakers at the rally included Javaida Faheem, Nazima of the Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami Women’s Wing, Mehjabeen Naqvi, Prof Masooma Shirazi, Dr Syeda Sara Kazmi, Advocate Farheen Zahra and Zahra Naqvi.
The speakers described the reported martyrdom of Khamenei as a major tragedy for the Muslim world and expressed condolences to the Muslim community. They warned that the US and Israeli actions would have serious consequences.
The speakers also condemned transparent investigations into what they described as the killing of more than 30 protesters and the injury of several others during demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Gilgit and Skardu.
In a statement issued at the end of the rally, the organisers called on the government to declare the US ambassador persona non grata and expel him from the country, shut down US diplomatic missions and register cases against those responsible for the killings. They also demanded action against foreign personnel allegedly involved in the killing of youths in Karachi.
The statement further called for immediate release of those arrested during protests across the country and urged the government to adopt a clear stance on the regional situation while safeguarding the interests of the Muslim world. The rally concluded with special prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased, speedy recovery of the injured, and the establishment of justice in the world.
