Youm-e-Ashur processions culminate peacefully across Pakistan

KARACHI: Processions across the country culminated peacefully as people observed Youm-e-Ashur on Wednesday to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions, amid stringent security measures in place.

The main procession in Karachi was taken out from Nishtar Park and made its way through the city's MA Jinnah Road to culminate at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian, Kharadar. In Lahore, the Youm-e-Ashur procession passed through traditional routes to reach Karbala Gamay Shah.

The procession in Rawalpindi concluded at the Qadeemi Imambargah, while processions in Faisalabad and Multan also reached their destinations peacefully.

 The day was observed to commemorate the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala to uphold the truth.

Alam, Zuljinah and Taazia processions were taken out in all big and small towns across the country, with Ulema and Zakireen highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Ban on pillion riding in Karachi was lifted on Thursday and the city's M.A. Jinnah road is now open to traffic.

Corps commander visits Rangers headquarters in Karachi

Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar visited the Rangers headquarters in Karachi on Wednesday to review the security situation. Sources said that the DG Rangers briefed the Corps Commander over the security arrangements made in the route of the procession.

Cameras were installed at 275 places to monitor the processions and more than 15,000 policemen were deployed to ensure safety of the participants of the rally.

The rally passed through Numaish Chowrangi, M.A. Jinnah Road, Imam Bargah Ali Raza, Sea Breeze, Empress Market, Regal, Tibet Centre and Bolton Market to conclude at the Hussainia Iranian Imam Barga at Kharadar. 

Mobile phone services in several cities in Sindh including Karachi and Hyderabad were suspended from noon till 7:30 PM in view of the security situation.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the central procession in Karachi saying that he was personally monitoring the security situation. He added that there were security threats in the province.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also visited Jacobabad to review the security arrangements. He also paid a call on relatives of the victims of last year's Muharram 9 blast there.

Commander Southern Command reviews arrangements in Quetta

Commander Southern Command Lt. Gen. Amir Riaz visited the control room at the Police IG office along with interior minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Chief Secretary. He was briefed over security arrangements made at the for the Ashura procession.

The central Ashura procession reached the Bacha Khan Chowk where mourners offered the Zuhrain prayers led by Allama Hashim Mosavi.

Security beefed up

Stern security measures were taken on the occasion to thwart any untoward incident. Bomb disposal squad (BDS) swept the routes ahead of processions, while law enforcement backed by paramilitary stood guard all along the way.

The processions were monitored through drone cameras, whereas snipers were positioned at high-rise building along the routes to mark and timely eliminate any miscreant.

Hospitals were put on alert for any emergency situation. Security was tightened in Rawalpindi where police personnel and Rangers were deployed on the routes of the procession.

In all major cities of Punjab, strict security arrangements were made for the processions of 10th of Muharram. Security was tightened at all the imambargahs and routes of the processions.

In Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, all roads leading to imambargahs were sealed and strict security was ensured for the processions.