RAWALPINDI: Tehreek Nifaz Fiqh-i-Jafariya (TNFJ) chief Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqaddasi on Saturday announced a 14-point code of Azadari to ensure respect, dignity and harmony in Muharram.

Announcing the code, he said mourning processions across Pakistan will be brought out in accordance with the Moosavi-Junejo agreement of May 21, 1985. There is no Sunni-Shia conflict in Pakistan rather proscribed groups are involved in spreading hatred on social media, he added.

“Central Muharram Committee Azadari Cell under the headship of Allama Basharat Hussain Imami has been set up by TNFJ to facilitate Azadars across Pakistan,” he said.

Allama Muqaddasi said no restriction will be accepted on majalis and Azadari inside four walls and new imambargahs.

“Announcement of setting up Sabeels of drinking water and distribution of Niaz by the chief minister Punjab is appreciable. The government must refrain from imposing unjust restrictions on Azadari and restrict lower-level administration to stop harassing organisers of majalis,” he said.

Party chief says there is no sectarian conflict in Pakistan rather proscribed groups are spreading hatred on social media

“Gagging of peaceful scholars and Zakireen is tantamount to strengthening miscreants. When new settlements can be developed, why not new Imambargahs? The interior ministry and home departments must set up Muharram control rooms in all districts and connect them with TNFJ’s Muharram Azadari Cell for better coordination and results,” he said.

The TNFJ chief said Pakistan’s security must be the top priority. “Our best military and nuclear capabilities irritate the enemies of Pakistan. An operation has become mandatory to remove facilitators and agents of colonial powers.”

He said that all political forces must also remember that their existence was linked with the existence of Pakistan. We reject all those thoughts that undermine the security of the motherland, he said.

“If the government really wants to establish lasting peace, it must stop encouraging members of proscribed organisations and expel them from state institutions and peace committees as otherwise so called peace committees will only produce unrest and conflicts instead of peace,” he said.

Agha Muqaddasi said all the 20 points of the National Action Plan must be implemented as foreign funding was still flowing in for proscribed groups that were freely operating using new names.

Under the 14 points of Azadari, participants of mourning processions should be facilitated. Women should be checked using lady police officials. Close-circuit cameras, walk-through gates must be installed at the entry and exit points. Blockades must be installed at different distances and nearby buildings and vacant places must be kept under check. Moreover, patrolling of police mobile squads for the protection of gatherings and processions should be ensured. The caretakers of Imambargahs, procession organisers and administrators should also make security arrangements by themselves. Federal and provincial governments should not issue any orders that infringe on the rights of mourners.

Everyone should prioritise tolerance and condemn all forms of prejudice. People should remain vigilant and closely monitor their surroundings and individuals. Speakers should promote unity and spirit of harmony and security in their addresses and avoid inflammatory and hate speeches while propagating the sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala in a positive manner.

During Muharram, music, dramas and entertainment programmes on electronic media should not be aired. Controversial figures and banned groups should not be invited to media forums.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024