Ashura processions conclude peacefully countrywide amid strict security

Ashura processions across the country concluded peacefully on Friday amid elaborate security arrangements as thousands of mourners participated in Muharram 10 processions. Yaum-i-Ashura is observed every year with mourning processions and religious gatherings to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680AD. The central procession in Karachi departed from Nishtar Park at around 9:30am. It concluded at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian after passing through its traditional routes. In Hyderabad, the central procession emerged from Qadam Gah Maula Ali off Station Road and culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah. No processions were taken out in Islamabad, but the main procession in Rawalpindi was taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Taili Mohallah and culminated at Imambargah Qadeemi. In Lahore, the central procession emerged from Nisar Haveli and concluded at Karbala Gama Shah later in the evening. All mourning processions and religious gatherings in Multan and other regions of south Punjab concluded peacefully. Meanwhile, 12 processions were held in Peshawar and all concluded after following their traditional routes through old city areas. Meanwhile, commuters in various cities have been advised to take alternative routes, in line with traffic plans devised in view of closure of roads while the processions are held. Elaborate security arrangements are also in place to ensure mourners’ security. Karachi Karachi police chief Azad Khan said on Thursday that mobile phone and internet services would likely be suspended along the route of the main procession today. He said around 6,500 policemen would be deployed to secure the main procession, while the overall deployment across the city would stand at 20,000 personnel. Earlier, traffic police shared a plan for alternative routes for commuters. “Due to security reasons, M.A. Jinnah Road will be closed to traffic from Gurumandir to Tower,” the traffic police’s statement said. S