Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that Muharram-ul-Haram commemorates the glorious sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA) for upholding the sanctity of Islam. “Incident of Karbala gives us the lesson that forces of evil have to face defeat while Islam will remain forever. Imam Hussain (AS) upheld the truth and did not bow before the evil,” the chief minister said in his message on Youm-e-Ashura. He said that the great sacrifice of the martyrs of Karbala has revived the universal principles of Islam, including patience, tolerance and sacrifice. “The battle between the truth and the falsehood in Karbala teaches Muslims to wage jihad against oppression and evil,” he added. “The battle between the good and the evil has been going on for many decades in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and thousands of Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives while fulfilling the tradition of Karbala,” he said. “The tyrant Modi has perpetrated brutality and barbarism in occupied valley and has become the Yazeed of the present era,” he said. “The day is not far away when the sacrifices of the martyrs will bear fruit and the name of Modi will be erased from history,” he added. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar visited the central control room established in Home Department at the Civil Secretariat to monitor the security arrangement for Muharram-ul-Haram and Youm-e-Ashura. He also inspected different sections of the control room. Additional Secretary Home Department briefed the chief minister about the security arrangements. Speaking on the occasion, Usman Buzdar said that majalis and processions held across Punjab have been geotagged and Pakistan Army and rangers have been called to assist security arrangements. Majalis and processions are being monitored through CCTV cameras, he said, and directed that a peaceful atmosphere should be ensured at any cost. He directed to observe route and punctuality for Majalis and processions. He directed members of peace committees to play vibrant role for promoting religious harmony. “There will be no compromise on the publication and distribution of objectionable material and indiscriminate action should be taken on violation,” he said. The chief minister, while directing to take stern action against provocative and religious bigotry speeches, said that code of conduct should be ensured at any cost. Law enforcement agencies should remain vigilant and all energies and capabilities should be utilized for maintaining law and order, he said, adding that more than 240,000 police officers and officials will perform duty in Punjab. “As many as 676 places across the province have been declared sensitive and security has been made alert,” he said, adding that timely meal should be provided to the on duty police personnel. He said that on Ashura day police, administration and other agencies should display ideal cooperation. He said that law enforcement agencies should maintain close liaison with each other. Police officials should remain on duty till the peaceful dispersal of the processions. Separately, Ambassador of United Arab Emirates Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zabi called on the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and enhancing the mutual cooperation in the housing, industries, trade and business sectors, were discussed during the meeting. It was decided in the meeting that close liaison will be maintained to promote mutual cooperation. The UAE ambassador lauded the steps and effective strategy adopted to curb coronavirus by the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. He said that the Punjab government under the supervision of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has adopted best policy to stop the spread of coronavirus. Usman Buzdar said that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have excellent friendly ties. He said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, 13 special economic zones are being set up in Punjab. Work has started on two special economic zones whereas the foundation stone of the third special economic zone in Bahawalpur will soon be laid, he added.