In pictures: Mourners in black take part in Muharram 9 processions across Pakistan
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Mourners wearing black took part in processions on Thursday as the country observed Muharram 9 to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680AD. Dawn takes a look at the scenes as huge flags with Islamic emblems and “Zuljanahs” (horses) remained a key part of the processions. Muslims hold a religious flag as they take part in a procession on the ninth day of Muharram in Islamabad on June 25, 2026. — AFP Mourners participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura in Lahore on June 25, 2026. — AFP Muslims participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura in Peshawar on June 25, 2026. — AFP Muslims participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura in Peshawar on June 25, 2026. — AFP A security personnel stands guard as Muslims participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura in Peshawar on June 25, 2026. — AFP Muslims participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura in Peshawar on June 25, 2026. — AFP Muslims hold portraits of Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (R) and late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they take part in a procession on the ninth day of Muharram in Islamabad on June 25, 2026. — AFP A person holds a poster with portraits of Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (R) and late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as mourners take part in a procession on the ninth day of Muharram in Islamabad on June 25, 2026. — AFP Muslims participate in a Muharram procession on the ninth day of Ashura at Markazi Asna Ashari Imambargah in G-6/2, Islamabad. — Online photo by Waseem Khan A person holds a poster with portraits of Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) as mourners take part in a procession on the ninth day of Muharram in Islamabad on June 25, 2026. — AFP Mourners participate in 9th Muharram procession at Iqbal road in Rawalpindi. — Online photo by Raja Asim A mist cannon spray