Use of loudspeakers during Majalis, processions allowed

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, keeping in view the demand of Shia Ulema has allowed the use of loudspeakers during Majalis and processions. For the purpose, a notification would be issued soon. He accorded this approval while presiding over a meeting of Shia Ulema at the CM House, here on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah, Special Assistant to the CM on Religious Affairs, Dr Qayoom Soomro, IG Sindh Ghulam Hydder Jamali, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, Special Assistants to the CM Waqar Mehdi and Rashid Rabbani and others. The Shia Ulema who attended the meeting included Maulana Nazir Abbas, Maulana Baqar Zaidi, Maulana Furqan Hyder Abidi, Maulana Jaffer Subhani and others.
The Shia Ulema thanked the chief minister for holding a high level meeting with them and said that the government had imposed ban on the use of loudspeakers during Majalis and processions. This would be quite difficult for their Ulema to address huge gatherings of mourners without using loudspeakers. They said that their leaders also guide the mourners during Moharram processions through loudspeakers.
The chief minister said that ban on usage of loudspeakers has been imposed under National Action Plan. "But, in your case, I am allowing you to use loudspeakers but its usage must be made sagaciously, particularly in the light of code of conduct," he said and added "Strict action would be taken if hate speeches are delivered anywhere in the province," he warned.
The Shia Ulema told the chief minister that in the city, the K-electric resorts to loadshedding even during Muharram-ul-Haram Majalis and processions. On this, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui told the chief minister that he had talked to the COO of the KE and he had assured him that no loadshedding would be observed during Muharram especially in the areas where Majalis and processions would be held. Apart from it, streets lights have been maintained, he said.
The Ulema praising Dr Qayoom Soomro said that he was the first minister of religious affairs who had developed close co-ordination with the Ulema. "We appreciate his efforts and seriousness of the government to maintain sectarian harmony during Muharam-ul-Haram," they said.
The chief minister directed Minister Religious Affairs Dr Soomro to set up a complaint cell in his department and announced its landline numbers so that people could register their complaints regarding the violation of code of conduct and such other issues. The chief minister considering water supply and drainage problems directed the Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah to brief the meeting.
Nasir Shah said that he along with Some Shia Ulema had visited Jaffer Tayar society where their drainage issue was serious. "I have taken some strong steps to solve their problem during the Muharram-ul-Haram and after that a separate drainage scheme has been made to solve the issue," he said. The chief minister thanked the Shai Ulema for their support and co-operation. "I have held a meeting with Sunni Ulema and they are also supporting us for the cause of peace and co-operation in this regard is also appreciable," he said.