The Sindh government, which had earlier imposed a ban on religious congregations and processions, reportedly later marginally relaxed its restrictions on the occasion, though on the condition that all participants would properly follow all precautionary instructions. The relaxation was said to be on the request of Shia leaders, who gave assurances that all SOPs would be followed and the number of participants would be limited.
Processions with thousands of participants were carried out in the provincial capital and other districts of the province amid tight security, with some processions, such as those in Shikarpur and Jacobabad, meeting opposition from the police
In Karachi, police and Rangers personnel were deployed along the route of the procession from Nishtar Park to Kharadar, while roads were blocked with containers and barriers.
Clothed in black, the mourners shouted slogans and recited tazia as the procession moved to its destination. Most among them were seen wearing masks, though little attention was paid to maintaining social distance.
Consequently, as the mourners dispersed, the police arrested some participants and registered FIRs against them at the Soldier Bazaar, Preedy and Frere police stations for violating pandemic SOPs.
According to Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) spokesperson, over 200 people have been arrested in Karachi, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and other districts of Sindh.
“By arresting them, the government has betrayed us,” he claimed.
Also protesting the arrests, Shia leader Allama Baqar Abbas Zaidi accused the provincial government of “creating a law and order situation.” He alleged that the police had arrested and tortured even those who were following the SOPs, warning that their patience should not be tested.
Zaidi demanded the withdrawal of all cases registered against the procession’s participants and their release.
He further questioned the authorities, particularly the Sindh government, about the grounds on which the arrests were carried out when the prime minister and president had given permission for the processions.
Meanwhile, MWM leader Asif Safvi warned of a protest outside the CM House if those arrested were not released.
On the other hand, police sources claimed that procession participants had been arrested for violating Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a senior police official, who was also deployed to provide security to the main procession in Karachi, said Shia leaders had already been warned of arrests in case of SOPs violations. “We are now waiting for orders from higher authorities to release the arrested,” he added.
In Hyderabad, meanwhile, deputy commissioner Fuad Ghaffar Soomro had issued a statement late on Thursday, claiming that no organisations had been granted permission for processions. Despite this, separate processions were taken out, while the police appeared to be providing them with security.
Some mourners, however, claimed that the police had initially baton charged the crowds, but stopped when the number of participants increased.
Soomro told that he had neither been approached for permission nor had he granted it.
However, Sattar Dars, a spokesperson of the Anjuman-e-Imamia, which organises the main procession in Hyderabad, claimed that they had received permission from the SSP for a limited procession with 175 approved participants. “However, past Thursday midnight, our delegation was called for another meeting and was told that due to certain pressures and threats, permission had been withdrawn,” he added.
The delegation was later allowed to arrange a limited procession in the premises of Qadam Gah, while the Anjuman-e-Imamia issued a press release stating that they were cancelling their traditional procession.
The Hyderabad SSP did not respond to questions about the meeting or the permission he had reportedly granted.
The federal government on Wednesday issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the provinces for the last 10 days of Ramzan and it also imposed a ban on processions on account of Youm-e-Ali which is observed by Muslims on 21st of the holy month to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS).
The Interior Ministry issued a notification to all provinces for the last 10 days of the holy month and the Eidul Fitr holidays with regards to post May 9 lockdown strategy devised by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).According to the notification, 20-point SOPs for Taraweeh prayers will remain in place for the last 10 days of Ramzan and for Eid prayers. It also barred all religious processions in connection with Youm-e-Ali and the last 10 days of Ramzan across the country.
The notification also stated that all provinces would ensure implementation of these SOPs and guidelines about social distancing and other preventive measures would also be followed.Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said that following the ease in the lockdown, it is now the public’s responsibility to comply with all the SOPs and take care of the health of their family, society and community at large.
Addressing the meeting of the NCOC, Umar said that individual responsibility was the only way to ensure protection against the coronavirus and collective health of the people.
Umar’s observations came after the provincial chief secretaries apprised the forum that the markets were heavily crowded, particularly with Eidul Fitr coming up. The officials put forth their difficulties in enforcing the SOPs and guidelines set in place by the federation and the provinces.
“The lockdown has been eased to facilitate the masses,” Umar said, adding that the threat of the pandemic persists and anti-Covid-19 directives and SOPs have been sent to all provinces.The federal minister insisted that the implementation of the SOPs needed to be ensured, adding that public awareness drives were also being broadcast on the radio and television channels, as well as on all digital forums.
According to Umar, the public is fully aware of the comprehensive SOPs devised for every industry, including the construction industry and all factories and markets.
He directed the provinces to ensure the implementation of SOPs, giving provincial chief secretaries three to four days. He also urged the provinces and the public to play their due roles and ensure the health and safety of the people and contain the spread of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Pakistan chapter published a report, revealing an upward trajectory in local transmissions of the virus, as the country recorded 2,255 cases over the past 24 hours.
According to the report, Balochistan had the highest rate of local transmission at 93 per cent, whereas only 7 per cent were imported cases.
Sindh closely followed Balochistan with 92 per cent local transmission and 8 per cent imported cases.
In Punjab, 85 per cent cases were a result of local transmission while 15 per cent were foreign cases.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 84 per cent cases were locally transmitted while 16 per cent were foreign cases.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir had 63 per cent and 83 per cent rate of local transmission, respectively, whereas the former had 37 per cent imported cases while the latter had 17 per cent foreign cases.
The report also revealed a downward trajectory in Pakistan’s testing capacity after peaking at an estimated 13,000 on May 9. On subsequent two days, the tests decreased and fluctuated between 10,000 and 11,0000.
The report also revealed that as the testing capacity decreased, the number of new cases also reduced. On May 9, 1,991 new cases were reported, whereas on May 11, 1,140 new cases emerged.
