KARACHI: Yaum-e-Ashura was observed on Wednesday with due solemnity to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and his companions who were martyred on the grounds of Karbala but upheld the sanctity of Islam.
Strict security measures have been made along the routes of processions across the country to avoid any untoward incident. Mobile phone services were also suspended across the city till 7 PM over security concerns.
In Karachi, the main procession started from Nishtar Park at 10pm, and concluded at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah at sunset. The procession crossed Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, MA Jinnah Road through Mansfield Street, Preedy Street, MA Jinnah Road again, Boulton Market, Bombay Bazaar, Nawab Mahabat Khanjee Road and ended in Kharadar.
Insense Security at Processions
Elaborate security measures have been taken by the government with the deployment of thousands of military, paramilitary and police forces to avoid any untoward incident. Around 22,381 officers, including 389 female police officers, were deployed in Karachi today at Ashura processions.
About 403 majalis and 289 processions were held in Karachi today, Whereas 528 majalis and 279 processions were organised in the city yesterday on 9th Muharram.
Around four platoons of reserve force were deployed at Nishtar Park, Numaish Chowrangi, Capri Cinema, Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market, Regal Chowk, Tibet Centre, Saeed Manzil, Radio Pakistan, Eidgah Market, Light House, Boulton Market, Kharadar and Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
Chief Minister whirlwind tour of Sindh
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah conducted a whirlwind tour of various cities of Sindh, to observe strict vigilance and security on Ashura.
He reached Jacobabad where he went to the site of a blast which took place yesterday on 9h Muharram. Earlier, he took aerial tours of Shikarpur, Khairpur and Larkana, Jacobabad and finally reached Sukkur after which he returned back to Karachi.
Earlier in Karachi, Sindh Inspector General AD Khawaja briefed Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah regarding the security plan during a meeting at the CM House a day ago.
“We have been holding regular meetings on security during Muharram and have visited the route of the main procession,” he said. “Therefore, there should not be any issue as far as security is concerned.”
Director General Ranger Maj-General Bilal Akbar met with Corps Commander Lt. Gen Naveed Mukhtar at Rangers Headquarters. DG Rangers briefed him about the security situation, at which the Corps Commander had expressed his satisfaction. A Rangers spokesman said that high-level officials of the Police and Rangers were also present in the briefing.
Other Cities
In Lahore, the main procession was taken out from Nisar Haveli and concluded at Imambargah Karbala Gamay Shah. The main procession in Rawalpindi started from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain and concluded there after marching through several parts of the city.
Peshawar’s main procession concluded at Imambargah Haider Shah, while nearly one hundred twenty one processions were taken out in Peshawar and other cities of the province and in the FATA region.
Quetta’s main procession was held at Alamdar Road and concluded there, while a red alert was issued over an possible terrorist activity in the city.
In Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, the main Zuljinnah and Tazia procession was taken out from central Imambargah Sa’adat colony
