Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday thanked the nation for peacefully observing Ashura, but regretted that some elements had tried to ignite sectarian strife on the occasion.
The premier said he had been informed of "elements who tried to ignite [the] flames of sectarianism" on the sombre occasion.
"I will be taking very tough action against them," he said.
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
Youm-e-Ashur, the tenth of Muharram, was observed on Sunday with solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala.
Processions were taken out in different cities to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Majalis were held across the country where ulema highlighted the spiritual and philosophical significance of Karbala and paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives on that day.
Strict security arrangements were put in place to thwart any unwanted incident, while standard operating procedures (SOPs) were issued for the mourning processions after consultations with religious scholars to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
