9th Muharram observed across country in solemnity amid strict security

The 9th of Muharram was observed across the country today in solemnity to honour the memory of Karbala.

Processions were taken out in different cities to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Religious Affairs Minister Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri in a statement said the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala taught a lesson to all and sundry to firmly stand against tyranny and injustice.

Strict security arrangements have been made, with the federal government announcing a two-day holiday. Cellular services are suspended in major cities along routes the mourning processions are passing through.

Cellular service was to remain suspended in the federal capital till the end of the procession, police said on Friday. Service is likely to remain suspended in Islamabad’s Sector G/7 and G/6 till Muharram 10.

Balochistan

In Quetta, the main procession left from Nasirul Azra Imam Bargah and Imamgargah Kalan in the afternoon.

The mourning procession passed different routs including Art School Road, Archer Road, Liaqat Bazaar, and Prince Road, and terminated peacefully at the same Imambargahs within the scheduled time.

Tight security arrangements were made to ensure the protection of the people, with the procession monitored by helicopters.

All the link roads and streets were closed and the people were allowed to join the procession with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure implementation of SOPs for the elimination of COVID-19.

On special directives of the provincial government, mobile services were suspended from 9am till 8pm.

Punjab

In Lahore, the main procession of 9th Muharram-ul-Haram was taken out from Pando Street, Islampura which after passing through different areas including Khaima-e-Saadat finished at the starting point in the evening.

Sindh

In Karachi, 6,368 police officials were deployed in the city with snipers posted at main procession routes, according to a police spokesperson. Procession route and surrounding streets and alleys were cordoned off with containers. Police and Rangers were been deployed for security while the procession was monitored through CCTV cameras.

The main procession left from Nishtar Park and ended at Hussainiya Iranian after going through its designated routes. Procession participants offered noon prayers in front of Imambargah Ali Raza on MA Jinnah Road.

The Sindh government has also imposed a ban on pillion riding on Muharram 9 and 10 to avoid any untoward incident and maintain law and order in the province.

A ban has also been imposed on carrying arms or ammunition, assembly of five or more persons (with the exception of Muharram processions).

In Rohri, the procession was taken out from Imam Shahrah-e-Iraq with hundreds of pilgrims and mourners from across the country attending.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Security was also beefed up in Peshawar as the city prepared for Muharram processions. Cellular service was suspended, with extra police officials deployed to thwart off any unwanted incident.

Security was especially upgraded in many districts of Khyber Pakhthunkhawa after threats of attacks and busting of a terrorist group in Charsadda district, which, according to officials, was planning attacks on police during Muharram.

“Cellular phone services will be suspended on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. There are around 6,000 policemen and Frontier Constabulary personnel deployed for security in Peshawar, which will be increased to over 8,000 in the last days,” Capital City Police Officer Mohammad Ali Gandapur told The News.

As many as 43 checkpoints have been set up in Peshawar while security has been upgraded at 64 entry points to the city.