Rawalpindi tragic incident; responsible would be taken to task

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah has said that strict action would be taken against those who took the law in hand in Rawalpindi during Ashura-e-Muharram and after impartial investigations, deterrent punishment would be awarded to them. He appealed to Ulema to play their role for restoring atmosphere of brotherhood and maintaining law and order. He strongly condemned the incident happened in Raja Bazar Rawalpindi on 10^th Muharram.

He was talking to a delegation of renowned Ulema of Rawalpindi who met him in Rawalpindi today. The delegation included Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman Khalil, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Siddique, Maulana Zahid Mahmood Qasmi, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad and other ulema.

Provincial Minister for Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Minister for Environment Col. (Retd) Shujja Khanzada, Malik Ibrar MNA, Raja Muhammad Hanif MPA, Chief Secretary Punjab, IG Police Punjab Khan Baig, President PML-N Rawalpindi City Sardar Naseem, RPO, Commissioner Rawalpindi, DCO Sajid Zafar Dall and CPO were also present on the occasion.

Rana Sanaullah said that on the direction of the Chief Minister, he reached Rawalpindi and after consultation with the Provincial Ministers Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and Shuja Khanzada, Members Parliament and administration, a strategy was evolved for maintaining law and order. Lauding the role and spirit of the ulema for establishment of peace, he said that matters are being resolved with the cooperation of ulema in this regard.

Expressing heartfelt sorrow and grief over this tragic incident, the Law Minister said that the responsible would be taken to task. He said that judicial inquiry would be conducted in to the incident and the elements involved in this tragic incident would not be spared. He said that the government will ensure protection of life and property of the citizens at all costs and for this purpose, curfew was imposed in Rawalpindi.

Rana Sanaullah said that Pakistan is facing a number of challenges and the country cannot afford internal chaos and lawlessness. He warned that mischievous elements would be dealt with strictly. He said that the anti-state elements would not be allowed to take advantage of religious hatred. He said that the Ulema will have to play their due role for foiling the conspiracies of anti-state elements and uniting the people. He said that anarchy and chaos are not in the interest of anyone.

Rana Sanaullah expressed his heartfelt grief over the loss of precious lives and property due to clash between two groups in the procession of 10^th Muharram. The Ulema assured the Minister to make all out efforts for bringing peace in the city.