Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh Jafariya (TNFJ), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has opposed the closure of bazaars and markets on the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Husain (AS), and demanded appropriate security arrangement on the occasion to not disturb business activities and routine life in the province.
Speaking at a news conference here at Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Friday, TNFJ General Secretary Abu Ghazanfar said that the government should devise a security plan for the Chehlum, in which the markets and bazaars remain open, while daily life would also not be affected.
Flanked by TNFJ President Abbas Ali, Nasir Baig, and Zulfiqar Jamil, he said that the walk-through gates should be installed at all major entry points where the Majalis and mourners' processions are taken out in different parts of the province. He expressed concern about formation of different 'peace committees' and said that several members of defunct organisations have registered themselves with the committees, which has consequently created complexities for them.
The TJNF general sectary called for enforcement of anti-terrorism act during the Chehlum to avoid the participation of such elements to keep law and order situation on the occasion. He also expressed concern over ban on mourners' processions in district Manshera, saying that the restriction had been imposed on the Muharram and Chehlum processions under a agreement with a proscribed organisation.
He said that the caretaker of Imam Bargarh had also filed a petition against the ban, and court gave decision his favour, but the district administration is creating hurdles to implement the decision. "We will not accept any restriction in mourners' processions in the district of Mansehra," he warned. He demanded of the provincial government to take up the issue with district authority and allow mourners' processions in the district Mansehra.
He demanded of the government to chalk out adequate security plan for Chehlum to not affect business activities and people where mourners' processions would be taken out on the occasion. He also demanded for installation of walk-through gates, metal detectors to security personnel to search out any one who were take part in mourners' processions. He sought uninterrupted electricity supply to those areas where the Majalis Azha and procession would be taken out in different parts of the province.