Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that he would be taking strict action against those who had tried to ignite the flames of sectarianism during the Ashura. He also added that he would like the nation for the peaceful observance of the holy day of Ashura across the country on Sunday.
“I want to thank our nation for the peaceful observing of Ashura in the country. However, unfortunately, information has come to me of elements who tried to ignite flames of sectarianism on this occasion and I will be taking very tough action against them,” he said in a message shared on social networking platform Twitter on Monday afternoon.
I want to thank our nation for the peaceful observing of Ashura in the country. However, unfortunately, information has come to me of elements who tried to ignite flames of sectarianism on this occasion and I will be taking very tough action against them.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 31, 2020
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Ashura had been observed all over the country on Sunday to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala as security forces made arrangments to protect mourners from terrorist incidents. On the occasion, processions were carried out in all cities of Pakistan as cell phone services remained suspended and a nation-wide holiday was also observed.
Over the past few days, a propaganda campaign had ensued on social media that aimed to target the members of a minority Muslim sect. Although a majority of users from Pakistan had gracefully refused to indulge in the sectarian debate, many bot accounts had been busy amplifying the reach of the hate campaign.
‘Pakistanis must shun sectarian biases’
President Arif Alvi, in his message to the countrymen on Ashura, had said that Pakistanis must strive for national progress and prosperity while shunning mutual differences, sectarian biases, and faith-based hate.
President Alvi also said that the Pakistani nation had shown exemplary discipline during its fights against coronavirus. “As the pandemic is not yet over, we must still show further precaution,” he advised fellow countrymen.
On Sunday, the Ashura processions concluded peacefully across the country as people observed and mourned the martyrs of Karbala with devoutness and spirituality.