Karachi, February 21
The Pakistani Government has banned more than 300 hardline clerics from leaving their home districts to prevent them inciting violence when minority
Shiites start a key holy month next week.
Shiite Muslims hold big processions and meetings during the month of Muharram, in which they mourn the 7th century slaying of Imam Hussain, a grandson of Prophet Mohammad.
Hardliners among the Sunni Muslim consider Muharram, expected to start on Monday, to be against the spirit of Islam and accuse
Shiites of making derogatory remarks against companions of Prophet Mohammad.
Yesterday, the government issued a list of 341 clerics, mostly Sunnis, who would be confined to their home districts for 90 days.
“There are reasons to believe that they will make speeches or indulge in activities prejudicial to public safety,” the order said.
The police and paramilitary rangers have also been put on high alert, specially outside the
Shiite Muslim mosques to prevent any attacks.
In Pakistan’s restive port city of Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, additional police and paramilitary troops were being deployed, provincial government spokesman Salahuddin Haider said.
“There is a possibility of reaction from extremist religious elements as the government is trying to root out extremism from society,” he said. —
Reuters
