ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: The Shia Ulema Council Pakistan urged President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday to deploy army on Ashura across the country to prevent any untoward incident.

Addressing a press conference, the council leaders said azadari had continued for centuries and it could not be stopped by force.

Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, secretary general of the council, said protecting the life and property of citizens was the government’s responsibility and it should take stringent steps to ensure that.

The press conference was held after a meeting of the Central Muharramul Haram Committee of the Shia Ulema Council and leaders said that creating a law and order problem was a conspiracy against the nation.

Allama Wahidi said there had never been conflict between Shias and Sunnis because both communities had a common faith.

“The sectarian terrorists are trying to scare people away from mosques, imambargah and shrines of saints through their ways of tyranny,” he said.

The leaders criticised the alleged official apathy and lacklustre action on its part to counter sectarian attacks in Karachi, Quetta, Kohistan, Chilas Babusar and Parachinar.

“The incidents are gross human rights violations,” said Wazarat Hussni Naqvi, senior vice-president of the council.