Pakistan: Peshawar High Court allows Muharram activities at new Imambargahs

Peshawar High Court, last Tuesday, allowed members of Shia community to carry out religious activities during Muharram in imambargahs apart from the places enlisted by the government and directed police to make proper security arrangements in that regard.

The order issued in two petitions filed by Imamia Jirga’s Muharram Committee and a representative of Shia community, Wajahat Ali, seeking orders for the government to permit them to carry out religious activities at new places of worships set up during the last few years in different parts of the province and also to draw a proper security plan.

The petitioners also requested the court to restrain the respondents, including the chief and home secretaries and commissioners and deputy commissioners of different divisions and districts from placing any unlawful restrictions on peaceful religious processions during the month of Muharram.

They sought orders to stop respondents from taking any ‘illegal’ action, including registration of FIRs against participants of Muharram processions.

The court decided that as interim relief, the petitioners should be permitted that year to use the imambarghs apart from those enlisted with the government.