First processions after Quetta incident held with TNFJ efforts

By: Basit Ali

QUETTA, Pakistan: First mourning processions after the bloody Ashoura Quetta incident, in which at least 53 hussaini mourners were martyred, were taken out on Muharram 24 and 25 courtesy to the efforts made by Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya Pakistan (TNFJ).

According to details, a historic procession in connection with Ashra-e-Beemar-e-Karbala marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Zaynul Abideen (as) was taken out from Imambargah Wali-ul-Asr Barouri Hazarah Town under the auspices of Mukhtar Force Quetta on Muharram 25. Local administration had imposed a ban on the procession resulting in sending tensions among the ranks of mourners. On this occasion, TNFJ Provincial Secretary General Nisar Ali and Mukhtar Force Provincial Commander Jan Muhammad Janu made clear on the administration that the admin is under obligation to provide protection to all traditional processions under 21 May 1985 Moosavi-Junejo agreement, therefore, the procession will be taken out on its designated route.

The leaders, on this occasion, contacted Central Control Room of TNFJ Central Muharram Committee (Azadari Cell). The Central Control Room held talks with Interior Ministry and as a result the local administration halted obstructions against the procession.

Thousands of mourners from across Balochistan province including matmi organizations of Imambargah Mehdi Qandahari, Imambargah Abul Fazl (as), Imambargah Mousa ibn-e-Jafar (as), Imambargah Panjtan (as), Imambargah Mehdi (as) and Imambargah Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (as) participated and performed matam.

Reaching Gulpaygani Chowk, zanjir-zani was performed. Later, the procession culminated after passing through its designated routes.

Addressing the participants at conclusion of the procession, TNFJ Coordinating Office Secretary Balochistan Mehdi Askari said Azadari is our jugular vein for which promotion the whole nation is under obligation to follow Code of Azadari issued by Quaid-e-Millat-e-Jafariya Agha Moosavi.

A resolution unanimously adopted on the occasion while appreciating the discerning leadership of Agha Moosavi thanked the Federal Interior Ministry and TNFJ Central Muharram Committee (Azadari Cell).

The resolution severely condemned the heinous character of anti-Azadari elements and nation-vendors due to whose written and verbal agreements the administration had put restrictions on the mourning processions. Later, dua was offered.

On Muharram 24, a procession attended by throngs of mourners was taken out from Panjabi Imambargah Alamdar Rd. the procession ended at Hazarah Cemetery after passing through Imambargah Qandahari, Imambargah Nachari Hazarah, Imambargah Gilgiti, Imambargah Baltistani and Imambargah Syedabad. Security was beefed up.

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