Sporting a uniform and scarf tie on his lean figure, Hasan Ali, 18, would stop men and frisk them over at one of the entrance check points for the Muharram congregation at Karachi’s Nishtar Park. In 2011, he was doing a similar job, when one of his co-scout member, Zain Mehmood, got shot in a terrorist attack and later died.

“I remember that once Zain was in the ambulance, we all came back to our posts. Never leave your duty is one of the basic lessons of our training as scouts.”

For Hasan, a member of Buturab scouts, to volunteer as a scout is a means to serve his people. He said,

It is God who gives us the courage to stand strong.

Amid throngs of mourners clad in black, scout groups hold a prominent presence at Muharram congregations. Some seen conducting body searches, while others managing traffic on the streets, these scouts are credited with providing man power required to ensure smooth passage of the commemoration days of the month of Muharram.

Scouting was formally established during pre-independence years, and today the scout groups all across the country get registered with the national or provincial scouting associations. Scout members are then trained according to the syllabus prepared by the scouting organisation. The training involves first aid, disaster management, basic bomb disposal techniques and self defence.

“Scouts are a bridge between the community and law enforcement agencies,” said Sardar Hussain, coordinator of operations at Karachi Open District Boys Scout Association.

On one end, we understand the needs of the community and are trusted by them, and on the other, we connect with law enforcement bodies to benefit from their expertise.

Hussain also believes that the role of scouts has become more significant in the past seven years. “With increasing security concerns, the scouts have started playing a more practical role in serving society.”

Syed Tassaduq Nadeem Hussian, a senior member of Buturab scouts, one of the oldest scouts in Karachi, also shares a similar view. “When I joined the scouts 27 years back, it was more of a youthful socialising activity. Today, however, there is religious fervor that motivates youths to join scouts.”

The evolution of scouting from youthful fraternity to serious business is also visible in other parts of the country. Iqtidar Hussain, former assistant chief scout Imamia Scouts Peshawar Division, also attests the claim that there has been an increase in the prominence of scout activities. “Seven years back we would provide services in some parts of Peshawar, but today we need four times the volunteers to ensure vigilance across the city.”

Serving humanity, not sect

According to Syed Mohammad Mehdi, chief of Buturab Scouts, scouting is more than just limited to Muharram congregations.

“Contrary to popular belief, scouts serve around the year during not just local but national community service needs like earthquakes and flood disasters, without any ethnic or sectarian bias.”

Iqtidar also shared a similar sentiment about sectarian unity in Peshawar Division, which includes areas like Parachinar and Kohat. “Our local people come forward to help each other during these 10 days of commemoration. It is people from outside regions that infiltrate our ranks and cause mischief.”

Women stand tall

Al-Zahra Girls Guide is the only registered group with the Sindh Girls Guide Association from Karachi. With around 700 members, the group provides its services at three main Imambargahs of the city.

“Our girls receive a similar training as the boy scouts which includes self defence and bomb disposal techniques. However, the most basic skill that we teach them is that of observation. They are trained to detect any unusual behaviour by anyone in the crowd,” said Farazna Devjiani, the head of Al-Zahra Girls Guide.

Established in 2002, the group did not always enjoy the community’s trust.

“Initially there was a negative response. Some women were not willing to accept the concept of being frisked. But during the past few years, they themselves remind us to frisk them and check their belongings in case we miss them out,” said an enthusiastic 18-year-old Baneen Fatima who has been serving as a girl guide since she was seven years old.

Women of smaller cities do not lag behind when it comes to serving their communities. Ishrat Fatima, 19, from Skardu recounts that for her it all started with a pamphlet with instructions on how to conduct a body search.

“In 2010, we went to serve the community during Muharram as a college scout community volunteering for the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and later joined the Abbasi Scouts working in the area.”

For Ishrat and her volunteer colleagues, the criticism came from a small group of conservative women, but support of the men in the community kept them going. Today, the girls guide in Skardu is growing and has been promised proper training in the coming years, said Ishrat.