A meeting of the District Peace Committee was held under the joint chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Khushab, Dr. Jahanzeb Hussain Laber, and District Police Officer (DPO) Khushab to review and finalize security and law and order arrangements for the Chehlum of Imam Hussain (AS).
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ghazala Kanwal, Deputy Director Local Government Israr Ahmed Qureshi, officers from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, and Security Branch, along with members of the Shia Peace Committee from all four tehsils of the district, religious scholars representing various schools of thought, and members of the minority community.
Addressing the participants, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jahanzeb Hussain Laber said that no changes have been made to the routes of the Chehlum processions or the timings of the religious gatherings (Majalis). He added that only licensed Shia committees and registered mourners would be permitted to organize and participate in the Chehlum processions and Majalis.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that religious leaders from all schools of thought have always played a vital role in maintaining peace and harmony. He urged religious scholars and members of the minority community to work together to preserve peace, promote interfaith harmony, and spread the message of unity throughout the district.
He also advised religious scholars and mosque administrations to refrain from delivering speeches or making statements that could offend followers of any other school of thought, stressing that hate speech and provocative remarks create unrest and threaten public peace.
Appealing to the public, Dr. Laber urged citizens to act responsibly and support the government and district administration in maintaining law and order. He asked parents to closely monitor their children, discourage excessive mobile phone use by younger children, and prevent older children from uploading inappropriate content or misusing social media platforms, including Facebook. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt peace during the Chehlum observances would face strict legal action. He also requested citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious individuals or activities to the district administration.
Speaking on the occasion, DPO Khushab said that comprehensive and foolproof security arrangements would be implemented for the Chehlum processions and gatherings. He described religious scholars as ambassadors of peace and acknowledged their longstanding role in promoting harmony within society. He warned that those attempting to disturb public peace or challenge the writ of the state would be dealt with firmly and without leniency. He further stated that the valuable suggestions of religious leaders from all schools of thought have always contributed significantly to maintaining law and order.
The participants appreciated the efforts of Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jahanzeb Hussain Laber for ensuring peaceful arrangements for the Chehlum. They also paid rich tribute to the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation and assured the district administration of their full cooperation. The meeting concluded with a special prayer for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan.
