18 March 2010 - 20:30

Officials in Pakistan’s northwest have said that Sunni and Shia leaders have agreed to ensure peace in a troubled district during Muharram-ul-Haram.

Curfew will not be imposed in Hangu district in North West Frontier Province, on the occasion of ‘Yaum-e-Ashur’ the 10th of Muharram, Commissioner Khalid Omarzai said.

Omarzai said that both sides have agreed on peace in Hangu and a formal announcement will also be made shortly.

He said that the area will also not be handed over to the army on the 10th of Muharram and the civil administration will control the situation. However he said that troops will be on alert and could be called out any time.

Sources said that members of Shia and Sunni supreme councils have held series of talks over the past week and they reached an understanding on Sunday.

The authorities have taken tough security measures in Hangu with the deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces at all entry and exit points.

All mobile phone networks have been blocked since Saturday, locals said.

Thousands of people from the nearby Orakzai tribal region have migrated to Hangu due to military operation.

Hangu had seen sectarian violence in the past, killing hundreds of people.

Upto 50 people were killed and many others were injured in a suicide attack on Muharram procession in Hangu in 2006.

Meanwhile the government has taken security measures across the country on the even of Yaum-e-Ashur to be observed on Monday.

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in several cities and towns and the army would be on alert and could be called if they are needed to restore peace.

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