Muharram 9 processions taken out amid tight security

Large processions on the 9th of Muharram were carried out in different cities across the country to keep the memory of Karbala alive in the hearts and minds of the faithful. 

According to reports, the main procession in Karachi started from Nishtar Park and took the traditional route through the city. In Lahore, the main procession emerged from Islampura. 

Processions also proceeded peacefully in the federal capital Islamabad as well as the provincial capitals Quetta and Peshawar. Mobile phone services were suspended in Quetta due to security concerns and will resume midnight. 

Tight security arrangements were made by authorities to facilitate the processions. Mobile phone services were suspended along the routes of the main Muharram procession in Karachi and Lahore. 

Earlier on Sunday, the provincial government had announced a ban on pillion riding across Sindh, including Karachi, on the 9th and 10th Muharram.

According to The News, as many as 69,545 police personnel were performing security duties across Sindh province, including 17,558 in Karachi.

Of these, 16,816 were in Hyderabad, 2,237 in Mirpurkhas, 9,280 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 8,258 in Sukkar and 15,404 in Larkana, according to a contingency plan prepared by AIG Operations Sindh for Muharram.