The Shia Ulema Council has demanded the formation of a judicial commission, headed by a senior judge, to investigate the Ashura and Chehlum bombings. Moreover, countrywide protests and demonstrations will be staged if these demands are not met by February 19.

This ultimatum was issued on Sunday during a protest demonstration staged outside the Karachi Press Club. The call for the protest had been issued by Quaid-e-Millat-e-Jafferia, Allama Sajid Naqvi. A large number of members of the Shia community and the Jafferia Students Organisation attended the procession; they raised slogans against the government and its allied partners for being unable to control terrorist activities in Karachi. The participants carried placards and banners condemning extremism, which, they said, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among citizens.

Five demands were issued during the protest; a deadline of 10 days has been issued for meeting these demands, otherwise, “the government will be responsible for any consequences,” speakers at the rally said. They demanded the arrest of the culprits of the Ashura and Chehlum bombings; the formation of a judicial commission to investigate these incidents; the release of innocent Shias who were arrested by law-enforcement agencies; compensation to the victims of the blasts; and treatment of injured people at State expense.

Moulana Ali Mohammed bitterly criticised the government, and said that militants have become powerful due to the negligence of those in power. The bomb disposal squad could not trace terrorist activities despite foolproof security arrangements; this, he said, shows that the network of militants has become stronger that the government’s security.

Had the Ashura culprits been arrested, the Chehlum blasts would not have occurred and innocents people would have not been killed, Mohammed said, adding that the present government was helpless in front of terrorists.

Shia Ulema Council Sit-in: The Shia community also staged an hour-long sit-in on Sunday evening outside the Imam Bargah in Abbas Town, against continued terrorism and violence that has left scores of innocent people dead. Participants of the sit-in raised slogans, beat their chests, and blocked the road.

Meanwhile, the Shia Ulema Council has said that similar sit-ins will be staged in every town of Karachi to build pressure against the government and to vent their anger at the continued wave of violence and terrorism.

‘We will not bow down to the pressure tactics of the militants. Any ban on the Azadaran would not accepted,’ Moosa Abidi and Dr Ali Abidi of the Shia Ulema Council said. ‘We would continue organising processions and fulfilling our religious obligations as per our traditions. This is our Constitutional and religious right.’